A post by @unusual_whales on X.

A MoneyLion analysis of Census data found that a $100,000 household income now falls into the lower-middle class in 12 states, with Massachusetts setting the highest threshold. The finding underscores how persistently high housing and living costs in coastal and Western states have eroded the purchasing power of what was long considered a comfortable salary. It matters because the threshold shapes how households perceive their financial standing and how policymakers and lenders assess middle-class affordability. Watch for whether wage growth in these high-cost states keeps pace with local expenses, and whether the $100,000 benchmark spreads to additional states in future Census updates.