Question-

[striperman36]

Originally Posted by fishbones

I think it depends on where you live. Here in the northeast or in other parts of the country, $100K to $150K is middle class or upper middle class. In some parts of the country, it would be considered upper class. Think about the cost of living in some parts of the country and what you'd be able to afford on your current salary there.

What salary?

[fishbones]

Originally Posted by striperman36

What salary?

How about "income" instead of salary?

I know that we were very well off growing up with 2 parents that had decent jobs and 4 kids. Now, I have a very good job and my wife has a great gig as a consultant and we definitely don't have the same standard of living that my parents had when I was a kid. And I only have one child, to boot. The costs of goods and services have increased faster than wages, and now we just have a lot more bills to pay. What kind of extra money would you have in your bank account if you didn't have to pay for cable, cell phones, internet service, satellite radio, custom plugs, etc....

[mosholu]

For 2006 according to the US Census Bureau Median Income family of four:
Connecticut: 93,831
Rhode Island: 78,189
New York: 75,513
Mass: 89,347

If you figure 50% are above this figure and 50% below, where the posters claim the middle class is are probably spot on. These figures will vary depending on where you live. Also these figures do not take into account COL which I would think spiked in 2007 and the first quarter of 2008 with the increase in energy prices.

[Jenn]

Originally Posted by mosholu

For 2006 according to the US Census Bureau Median Income family of four:
Connecticut: 93,831
Rhode Island: 78,189
New York: 75,513
Mass: 89,347

That sounds more like it. If 100-150 is middle class everyone I know lives in poverty.