Tennessee sees one of largest increases in middle-class household earnings in past decade (2024)

Tennessee had one of the largest increases in income to be considered a middle-class household in the country over the past ten years.

According to a new study from GoBankingRates, a personal finance organization, the income required to be middle class has shifted greatly over the past ten years. The study shows that the lowest increase was still almost 25%.

GoBankingRates sourced information from the U.S. Census Bureau in 2012, 2017 and 2022 reports. It found the median income recorded for each state and was able to determine the middle-class income range from how expensive each state was in the respective years.

The report said, "In 2012, a household income of $35,364 qualified you as a member of the middle class in the U.S. In 2022, $50,099 was the lowest minimum household income threshold."

Here is what the study found.

States with the biggest increase in income to be considered middle-class

Oregon saw the biggest increase in middle-class household income over the past decade.

Tennessee was the only southern state to be included in the top ten. The closest-ranking southern state was Georgia at No. 12.

1. Oregon had the greatest increase at 53.15%. In 2012, a person was considered middle-class if they made between $33,357 and $100,072. In 2022, the range was $51,088 and $153,264.
2. Washington increased 52.13%. In 2012, a person was considered middle-class if they made between $39,583 and $118,743. In 2022, the range was $60,217 and $180,650.
3. Colorado increased 50.40%. In 2012, a person was considered middle-class if they made between $38,829 and $116,488. In 2022, the range was $58,399 and $175,196.
4. California increased 49.68%. In 2012, a person was considered middle-class if they made between $40,933 and $122,800. In 2022, the range was $61,270 and $183,810.
5. Idaho increased 49.34%. In 2012, a person was considered middle-class if they made between $31,343 and $94,030. In 2022, the range was $46,809 and $140,428.
6. Utah increased 49.29%. In 2012, a person was considered middle-class if they made between $38,776 and $116,328. In 2022, the range was $58,889 and $173,666.
7. Montana increased 45.95%. In 2012, a person was considered middle-class if they made between $30,304 and $90,912. In 2022, the range was $44,227 and $132,682.
8. Tennessee increased 45.07%. In 2012, a person was considered middle-class if they made between $29,427 and $88,280. In 2022, the range was $42,690 and $128,070.
9. Rhode Island increased 45.04%. In 2012, a person was considered middle-class if they made between $37,401 and $112,204. In 2022, the range was $54,247 and $162,740.
10. Massachusetts increased 44.78%. In 2012, a person was considered middle-class if they made between $44,439 and $133,316. In 2022, the range was $64,337 and $193,010.

States with the smallest increase in income to be middle-class

Alaska had the smallest increase of all states at only 23.58%.

Though it wasn't in the bottom ten, Mississippi ranked No.11 for the smallest increases. It also had the lowest household income needed to be considered middle-class in the country as of 2022, $35,323 to $105,970.

1. Alaska had the smallest increase at 23.58%. In 2012, a person was considered middle-class if they made between $46,611 and $139,834. In 2022, the range was $57,580 and $172,740.
2. Wyoming increased 28.14%. In 2012, a person was considered middle-class if they made between $37,715 and $113,146. In 2022, the range was $48,330 and $144,990.
3. Louisiana increased 29.50%. In 2012, a person was considered middle-class if they made between $29,782 and $89,346. In 2022, the range was $38,568 and $115,704.
4. Connecticut increased 29.77%. In 2012, a person was considered middle-class if they made between $46,346 and $139,038. In 2022, the range was $60,142 and $180,426.
5. New Mexico increased 30.82%. In 2012, a person was considered middle-class if they made between $29,924 and $89,772. In 2022, the range was $39,148 and $117,444.
6. Delaware increased 31.95%. In 2012, a person was considered middle-class if they made between $40,079 and $120,238. In 2022, the range was $52,883 and $158,650.
7. Nevada increased 32.47%. In 2012, a person was considered middle-class if they made between $36,055 and $108,166. In 2022, the range was $47,764 and $143,292.
8. Maryland increased 34.88%. In 2012, a person was considered middle-class if they made between $48,666 and $145,998. In 2022, the range was $65,641 and $196,922.
9. New Jersey increased 35.58%. In 2012, a person was considered middle-class if they made between $47,758 and $143,274. In 2022, the range was $64,751 and $194,252.
10. Kansas increased 36.03%. In 2012, a person was considered middle-class if they made between $34,182 and $102,546. In 2022, the range was $46,498 and $139,494.