The definition of “middle class” is remarkably different depending on where you live. In fact, a $500,000 income still qualifies as “middle class” in dozens of U.S. cities, according to new research published this week. In our new analysis, GOBankingRates researchers set out to uncover the top 25 cities with the highest earning middle class in America.

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To do so, our researchers analyzed median incomes in all U.S. cities with a population of 10,000 or more. To identify middle class income ranges in each city, we used the PEW research definition of middle class, which is “households with an income that is two-thirds to double that of the median household income”.

Our findings show Paradise Valley ranked among America’s top 10 cities with the highest earning middle class.

Achieving middle-class status isn’t as easy as it was, say, 50 years ago. According to Pew Research Center data published in 2022, the share of adults who live in middle-class households fell from 61% in 1971 to 50% in 2021. Among the chief reasons it’s difficult to make the middle-class cut: widening income gaps and the rise of mega businesses that put smaller businesses in economically precarious positions.

Whether you’re middle class or not depends, in part, on where you live. For example, what qualifies you as middle class in Williamson, West Virginia, certainly won’t qualify you as such in San Francisco, where the cost of living is much higher. 

To get an in-depth understanding of what the American middle class makes in ultra-wealthy towns, GOBankingRates analyzed cities across the U.S. to find those where a $250,000 income is considered middle class. The cities were sorted to show the highest minimum and maximum income range, representing cities with the wealthiest middle-class families in the country.

Also see what it takes to be upper middle class in 20 American cities.  

Top 10 cities with highest earning middle class in U.S.

10. Wellesley, Massachusetts

  • Minimum income considered middle class: $245,201  
  • Maximum income considered middle class: $735,602 
  • Household mean income: $367,801  
  • Monthly cost of living: $13,802

9. Great Falls, Virginia

  • Minimum income considered middle class: $249,157  
  • Maximum income considered middle class: $747,470 
  • Household mean income: $373,735 
  • Monthly cost of living: $11,381

8. Hinsdale, Illinois

  • Minimum income considered middle class: $253,653 
  • Maximum income considered middle class: $760,958 
  • Household mean income: $380,479 
  • Monthly cost of living: $8,645

7. University Park, Texas

  • Minimum income considered middle class: $254,157 
  • Maximum income considered middle class: $762,470 
  • Household mean income: $381,235 
  • Monthly cost of living: $15,551

6. Paradise Valley, Arizona

  • Minimum income considered middle class: $257,095 
  • Maximum income considered middle class: $771,286 
  • Household mean income: $385,643 
  • Monthly cost of living: $22,221

5. Alamo, California

  • Minimum income considered middle class: $257,311 
  • Maximum income considered middle class: $771,934 
  • Household mean income: $385,967 
  • Monthly cost of living: $16,837 

4. Piedmont, California

  • Minimum income considered middle class: $269,606 
  • Maximum income considered middle class: $808,818 
  • Household mean income: $404,409 
  • Monthly cost of living: $16,871

3. Winnetka, Illinois

  • Minimum income considered middle class: $305,992 
  • Maximum income considered middle class: $917,976 
  • Household mean income: $458,988 
  • Monthly cost of living: $11,580

2. Short Hills, New Jersey

  • Minimum income considered middle class: $321,145  
  • Maximum income considered middle class: $963,434 
  • Household mean income: $481,717 
  • Monthly cost of living: $14,550

1. Hillsborough, California

  • Minimum income considered middle class: $359,967 
  • Maximum income considered middle class: $1,079,900 
  • Household mean income: $539,950 
  • Monthly cost of living: $31,994