What is "Middle Class"?

[Angelhalo]

I see the term used around here a lot. I'm not trying to start a debate. But, I am very curious as to what income is considered "middle class" by most folks.I've seen some examples given that seem really low and some that seem really high....so what do you think?

ETA: I DO NOT think you can put a price tag on Middle Class. AT ALL. The only reason why I put the options in the poll is because in the past week or so, I have seen so many people give monetary examples of Middle Class. So I wondered if people really do that, and if so, what their idea of Middle Class is. So please, there is no need to come in a nd bash me for my poll, or act like I am some moron who thinks that everything is described by a dollar sign. I am merely curious, because I keep seeing people do it on these boards everyday.

 

[paigevz]

Upper class is when you have enough money for everything you need, everything you want, and still more left over so you either give it away or buy things you don't even want.

Lower class is when you have trouble getting enough for what you need.

Middle class is when you have enough for your needs and you can manage to get some of your wants.

I would think the dollar value would depend on where you live for one thing, how many are in your family, what obligations you have.......older parents, health issues, etc.

 

[golfgal]

Upper class is when you have enough money for everything you need, everything you want, and still more left over so you either give it away or buy things you don't even want.

Lower class is when you have trouble getting enough for what you need.

Middle class is when you have enough for your needs and you can manage to get some of your wants.

I would think the dollar value would depend on where you live for one thing, how many are in your family, what obligations you have.......older parents, health issues, etc.

I agree. A $100,000 income in some parts of the country are very upper class where as other parts of the country you could qualify for welfare with that income.

 

[melly]

I hold no apologies for this view, but if anyone takes the hump or is upset over it then just delete it. That said, it remains my view.

Middle class to me is an artificial barrier created by people who want to make themselves feel better or more important than other (so called) lower people. In short, bordering on sheer snobbery.

For me it is very simple, you are either wealthy and dont have to work in which you are upper class (but not necesserily a better person) or you have to work to live to the standard you do. It doesnt matter if you have a big car, a big house or go on big expensive holidays, the fact is if you suddenly no longer work you dont have those things. You need to work. There will be a huge number of people who have "fell" like this.

 

[Robinrs]

Money doesn't determine middle class, there are so many variables. Your poll is virtually useless.

The money I made in NY was a totally different story than the money I make in Atlanta. What I make here would be considered "working poor" in NY, while I'm considered UPPER middle class in Atlanta.

The terminology paigevz gave made more sense.

 

[Chicago526]

I put 'other' because you can't really put a dollar amount on it. $100,000 in is middle class in one part of the country, and down right wealthy in another, and you can't afford to even buy a condo on that in yet a third area.

I agree with paigevz, middle class generally means you can meet all your needs and at least a few of your wants.

 

[Robinrs]

I hold no apologies for this view, but if anyone takes the hump or is upset over it then just delete it. That said, it remains my view.

Middle class to me is an artificial barrier created by people who want to make themselves feel better or more important than other (so called) lower people. In short, bordering on sheer snobbery.

For me it is very simple, you are either wealthy and dont have to work in which you are upper class (but not necesserily a better person) or you have to work to live to the standard you do. It doesnt matter if you have a big car, a big house or go on big expensive holidays, the fact is if you suddenly no longer work you dont have those things. You need to work. There will be a huge number of people who have "fell" like this.

Since I fell in both classes in my life I tend to vehemently disagree.

There are people who work endless hours and still don't have enough money to survive. I've been there.

Then there are people who work less than 40 hours a week and have lots of extra money and no debt. I've been there, too.

No way they would be considered the same.

 

[Angelhalo]

Your poll is virtually useless.

Well excuse me.

The only reason I did the poll is because recently I keep seeing people putting a price tag on Middle Class. I DO NOT, but I see other people doing it over and over and over again so I was curious as to what people's idea of Middle class actually is. If soooo many people, including myself, feel that you can't put a price tag on it, then why do so many people keep using specific dollar amounts as examples of middle class? that was basically the point.

 

[luvmy3]

WooHoo according to your pole I'm above middle class. I guess dh can go out and get that yacht we always wanted
I'm sorry but there are too many factors that make one middle class. You can not just base it on how much somebody makes. When we lived out in Silicon Valley we couldn't even purchase a home on dh's salary. We were definitely lower class out there.
I do consider ourselves middle class because we do have enough money to pay our bills (needs), provide some wants for ourselves, save enough for retirement and for kid's college (hopefully). If dh made what 30% of the pole says we wouldn't be able to live where we do.

 

[Angelhalo]

WooHoo according to your pole I'm above middle class. I guess dh can go out and get that yacht we always wanted
I'm sorry but there are too many factors that make one middle class. You can not just base it on how much somebody makes. When we lived out in Silicon Valley we couldn't even purchase a home on dh's salary. We were definitely lower class out there.
I do consider ourselves middle class because we do have enough money to pay our bills (needs), provide some wants for ourselves, save enough for retirement and for kid's college (hopefully). If dh made what 30% of the pole says we wouldn't be able to live where we do.

I am a lady, I have no pole.

LOL! I couldn't resist.

AGAIN, I personally do not think you can put a price tag on Middle Class, I may have to start shouting it from the rooftop or something. The POLL, is because I have seen sooooo many people do it in the past week or so on here. So I was curious to see what people actually thought constituted Middle class since so many people felt the need to put a price tag on it. It really was meant to be somewhat sarcastic but apparently that was lost on people.

 

[luvmy3]

My post wasn't directed at you personally, I too was being sarcastic, not sarxcastic. LOL! I couldn't resist

I clearly agree, you definitely can't put a "price" on who is middle class.

 

[Chicago526]

I am a lady, I have no pole.

LOL! I couldn't resist.

AGAIN, I personally do not think you can put a price tag on Middle Class, I may have to start shouting it from the rooftop or something. The POLL, is because I have seen sooooo many people do it in the past week or so on here. So I was curious to see what people actually thought constituted Middle class since so many people felt the need to put a price tag on it. It really was meant to be somewhat sarxcastic but apparently that was lost on people.

You can edit your original post to reflect your intent, that should help clear up the issue with new posters.

ETA: Ooops, you beat me to it!

 

[Todd&Copper]

I have read in the papers recently that defined middle class as a range from about $50K - $150K. But I think that it really does depend on where you live. $50K in the Annapolis, MD area is kind of poor. The average for my neighborhood is probably $70K - 125K.

 

[Angelhalo]

Phew! thanks guys! Glad we're all on the same page now.

Todd&Copper, interesting..........

 

[HelenePA]

I'd like to know too infact I asked this question 2 times yesterday. No one would answer.

 

[Castlebound]

In the St. Louis area middle class depends on what city or county you live in. In in St. Charles county $100,000 is ok money. In Jefferson county $100,000 is upper middle class. Many people in both areas live on half that or less and do ok. Taxes and general costs of living in an area help define what is middle class.

 

[Patch'sD]

Answer : Screwed

 

[Angelhalo]

I'd like to know too infact I asked this question 2 times yesterday. No one would answer.

Phew, glad I wasn't the only one wondering what the magical Middle Class definition is

Answer : Screwed

 

[SadieDog]

I am a lady, I have no pole.

LOL! I couldn't resist.

AGAIN, I personally do not think you can put a price tag on Middle Class, I may have to start shouting it from the rooftop or something. The POLL, is because I have seen sooooo many people do it in the past week or so on here. So I was curious to see what people actually thought constituted Middle class since so many people felt the need to put a price tag on it. It really was meant to be somewhat sarcastic but apparently that was lost on people.

I understand what you are saying.

 

[LuvOrlando]

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