10 best and worst middle class states
Despite the fact that the middle class in America is going through hard times, it is flourishing in some states. But which people should be considered middle class? According to the research center Pew the middle class is households whose income is two-thirds higher than the average household income in America.
GOBankingRates determined the states in which the life of the middle class will be comfortable, and vice versa.
Analysts investigated how the average income of middle-class families varied from 1999 to 2014 a year, the cost of education, the number of graduates, the cost of rent, and the home ownership ratio.
10 best states for middle class families
1. Iowa
Average income of middle class families: $ 75 953
Tuition: $ 8 270
Graduation rates: 66,3%
Mortgage monthly payment: $ 787
House ownership ratio: 69,9%
Iowa tops the ranking of states where middle class people can live comfortably. In the state, for 5 years, the income of middle class representatives changed insignificantly. There is a high level of college education and a small tuition fee. The average cost of housing in Iowa is $ 169 900.
2. South Dakota
Average income of middle class families: $ 77 176
Tuition: $ 8 140
Graduation rates: 48,7%
Mortgage monthly payment: $ 981
House ownership ratio: 64,6%
In South Dakota, between 1999 and 2014, the median income of a middle-class family increased. In this state, the proportion of people with average income continues to grow.
3. West Virginia
Average income of middle class families: $ 70
Tuition: $ 7 490
Graduation rates: 43,6%
Mortgage monthly payment: $ 718
House ownership ratio: 75,1%
West Virginia has the largest proportion of middle-income residents, and it continues to grow. In this state, the most affordable housing with an average cost of $ 150 000 and education.
4. Nebraska
Average income of middle class families: $ 74 432
Tuition: $ 7 880
Graduation rates: 58,3%
Mortgage monthly payment: $ 903
House ownership ratio: 66,5%
Nebraska is perhaps the most comfortable city for the middle class in terms of the cost of living and education. The average cost of housing in this state is $195.
5. North Dakota
Average income of middle class families: $ 75 881
Tuition: $ 7 880
Graduation rates: 48,7%
Mortgage monthly payment: $ 817
House ownership ratio: 61,4%
In North Dakota, middle-class family income is one of the highest. At the same time, this state has the most unfair distribution of wealth.
6. Oklahoma
Average income of middle class families: $ 72 249
Tuition: $ 8 030
Graduation rates: 43,5%
Mortgage monthly payment: $ 825
House ownership ratio: 71,6%
Oklahoma is another of the four states where the proportion of middle-income families is growing, despite the fairly modest average income of such families.
7. Mississippi
Average income of middle class families: $ 71 391
Tuition: $ 7 410
Graduation rates: 51,7%
Mortgage monthly payment: $ 812
House ownership ratio: 68,9%
In Mississippi, the proportion of the middle class is also growing. The average cost of housing here is $ 173 000.
8. Wyoming
Average income of middle class families: $ 75 811
Tuition: $ 5 060
Graduation rates: 54%
Monthly Mortgage Payment: $ 1 087
House ownership ratio: 69,1%
The average income of middle-class families in Wyoming is the highest, and the cost of education is the lowest.
9. Indiana
Average income of middle class families: $ 72 352
Tuition: $ 9 200
Graduation rates: 55,3%
Mortgage monthly payment: $ 755
House ownership ratio: 72%
Indiana was ranked on 9 due to low house prices. Here are the cheapest monthly mortgage payments. In addition, recent spending on college has not changed. However, the income of a middle-income family has decreased by more than 9%.
10. Missouri
Average income of middle class families: $ 72 646
Tuition: $ 8 630
Graduation rates: 55,7%
Mortgage monthly payment: $ 794
House ownership ratio: 67,1%
Missouri was in the top ten states for the life of the middle class due to the affordable cost of education. Over the past 5 years, the cost of education has increased by just 5,4%. The average cost of housing here is $ 169 000.
Top-10 worst states for middle-class families
1. Hawaii
Average income of middle class families: $ 74 529
Tuition: $ 10 670
Graduation rates: 45,9%
Mortgage monthly payment: $ 2,594
House ownership ratio: 53,7%
Hawaii - one of the most expensive for the life of the states, it is not surprising that this is the worst state for the middle class.
There is a very high rent in all of America, a high initial mortgage payment ($ 120 000) and a high monthly mortgage payment ($ 2 594).
2. Massachusetts
Average income of middle class families: $ 77 965
Tuition: $ 12 280
Graduation rates: 70,9%
Mortgage monthly payment: $ 1,782
House ownership ratio: 59,2%
In Massachusetts, between 2010 and 2015, the percentage of the middle class began to decline. Families at this income level find it difficult to buy a home in this state. The average home price in Massachusetts is $409, and it also has the highest percentage of college graduates.
3. California
Average income of middle class families: $ 73 197
Tuition: $ 9 350
Graduation rates: 66,3%
Monthly Mortgage Payment: $ 2 155
House ownership ratio: 53,8%
By all measures, California is one of the most uncomfortable states for middle-class people to live in. The average home price is $499, making the monthly mortgage payment less expensive than in Hawaii. But on the bright side, college costs in California have fallen nearly 000% in the past two years.
4. New York
Average income of middle class families: $ 73 227
Tuition: $ 7 710
Graduation rates: 61%
Mortgage monthly payment: $ 1,503
House ownership ratio: 50,7%
In New York, the lowest home ownership rate. On average, the cost of a house is $ 339 900. In the city of New York, housing prices are constantly growing, and this trend is unlikely to change in the near future.
5. New Jersey
Average income of middle class families: $ 75 768
Tuition: $ 13 560
Graduation rates: 64,8%
Monthly Mortgage Payment: $ 1 319
House ownership ratio: 63,8%
New Jersey is one of the states where the most expensive education. The prices for training in the state over the past 5 years have increased by 5,8%. Despite this, there is a fairly high percentage of college graduates in New Jersey.
6. Colorado
Average income of middle class families: $ 74 364
Tuition: $ 10 260
Graduation rates: 54%
Mortgage monthly payment: $ 1,740
House ownership ratio: 66,6%
In Colorado, middle-class family income is declining and the cost of living is rising. The median home price in Colorado is $399 and the mortgage down payment is $500.
7. Rhode Island
Average middle class family income: $ 74 908
Tuition: $ 11 410
Graduation rates: 67,5%
Mortgage monthly payment: $ 1,323
House ownership ratio: 54,4%
Recently, in Rhode Island, the percentage of middle-class families has significantly decreased. The state has high government taxes and low house ownership. In Rhode Island, middle class will find it difficult to ensure a comfortable standard of living.
8. Connecticut
Average income of middle class families: $ 78 262
Tuition: $ 11 730
Graduation rates: 67,5%
Mortgage monthly payment: $ 1,323
House ownership ratio: 66,4%
Connecticut is the second state where the middle class earns a high average income, but this may not be enough to provide a comfortable standard of living. Over the past 5 years, housing costs have increased by 6,7% in the state.
9. Louisiana
Average income of middle class families: $ 72 928
Tuition: $ 8 900
Graduation rates: 47,9%
Mortgage monthly payment: $ 910
House ownership ratio: 67,1%
Despite the relatively low cost of housing in Louisiana, spending on education has grown significantly over the past 5 years. Because of this, the state falls into the list of not the most comfortable states for the lives of middle-income families.
10. Virginia
Average income of middle class families: $ 74 999
Tuition: $ 12 320
Graduation rates: 63,4%
Mortgage monthly payment: $ 1,301
House ownership ratio: 67,5%
In Virginia, the proportion of middle-income households declined by 5,4%. However, training prices are competitive here.
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