How Much You Should Earn in Seattle To Be Middle Class?

What It Takes to Be Middle Class in America's Largest Cities – 2023 Study

The middle class has long been considered the backbone of the American economy. But the American middle class is shrinking. The percentage of adults living in middle-income households in the United States fell by more than 10 percentage points over the last 50 years1, indicating an ongoing shrinkage of the middle class.

To find the true pulse of today's middle class, SmartAsset calculated the bounds on middle class earnings in 100 of the largest U.S. cities, as well as all 50 states.

In Seattle, households earning up to $221,562 are still considered to be middle class. Those earning less than $74,223, however, haven't yet entered this middle income group. Nearly 66% of residents 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher and there are plenty of high-profile local companies to work for, including Amazon, Starbucks and Boeing.

Tips for Middle Income Earners

Reassess your housing costs. Households that spend more than 30% of their income on rent, mortgage payments and other housing expenses are considered to be housing cost burdened by the Census Bureau. If your housing costs exceed this threshold, you may want to consider downsizing. SmartAsset has several tools to assess your housing budget, including a calculator designed to help you decide whether to rent or buy in a given market.

Consider delaying retirement. Middle income earners who are approaching retirement may want to consider delaying it by a few years. Delaying retirement until age 70 means you'll max out your Social Security benefits and give your retirement savings extra time to grow. Not everyone is in the position to continue working until age 70, but it may be an option if you're worried about running out of money in retirement.

Work with an expert. Financial advisors aren't just for the ultra wealthy. Plenty of advisors work with middle-class families, helping them save to buy homes, plan for retirement or save for college. Finding a financial advisor doesn't have to be hard. SmartAsset's free tool matches you with up to three vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you. If you're ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.