The Dwindling Middle Class

[angelajiniel]

I agree wholeheartedly that the real problem isn't the definition, it's the state of mind. Someone make what is considered low income who is comfortable with their way of life and considers themselves middle class because of it is great. Someone who makes enough to qualify themselves as upper class, but always wants more is also going to consider themselves middle class because they aren't happy with what they have and think they need more.
Labels can do a lot to the psyche. I tell my husband to cut back and it doesn't really sink in until he asks, "are we poor?" I answer "yes, we're poor", and it's easier for him to spend less money. If I assure him that we're not poor but a part of that huge group of middle class living paycheck to paycheck and have to watch every dime, it's a lot harder for him. Living within a class label affects us, whether we like it or not.

[gt0163c]

Originally Posted by Xin Lu

I think this really depends on where you live. Here in San Mateo County a family of 4 making $90k a year is considered low income.
This is because everything costs so much here, but I'm sure in another part of the country $90k a year is quite upper middle class.

That is definitely true. I think "true class distinctions" (whatever that means) are based not only on income but also on location and family make-up. A single person can live well on a smaller income than a family can, if for no other reason than there are more mouths to feed and bodies to clothe in a family.

I live in Fort Worth, Texas and am single. I make slightly under $90k/year and I would definitely consider myself upper-middle class based on what I could afford if I decided to.