Once it becomes the backbone of the American Dream, the middle class will gradually be erased from where it flourished in the past. These states have college degrees, good jobs and solid work ethics that no longer guarantee stability, let alone prosperity. With prices rising and wages falling, millions find that the middle class’s “middle class” is harder than reality.
Nationwide, some states have become financially stressed cookware – housing is unaffordable, health care is out of reach, and even groceries are like luxury. If you feel like you are working harder than ever before, but nowhere to be found, it’s not just you. This is where you live.
Let’s look at the ten states where the middle class is almost completely squeezed out, and why so many people there are barely persistent.
1. California
California offers sunshine, technical work and endless coastline. But this also brings high-altitude rents, astronomical housing prices, and some state taxes in the country. In cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles, even a six-figure income isn’t enough to comfortably own a home or start a family.
The middle class here is forced to make a cruel trade-off – long commutes, multiple families living or giving up the country altogether. Although the country has a booming economy, its wealth has rarely fallen. For many, California is not a place of opportunity. This is the land of survival.
2. New York
From Buffalo to Brooklyn, the cost of simple existence in New York continues to rise. The rent control law is not in sync with real estate speculation, and the state has the highest tax burden in the country.
Many middle-class New Yorkers are leaving-not because they want it, but because they can’t afford to stay. Medical premiums, parenting costs and even basic transportation can quickly consume salary. The dream of “doing” here is increasingly reserved for the rich, while everyone else is trying to keep their livelihoods.
3. Hawaii
Living in heaven is never cheap, but it is almost impossible for middle-class Hawaiians. Import costs drive everything – food, gasoline, clothing. Housing is both scarce and expensive, especially for locals competing with foreign investors and vacation rentals.
Many Hawaiians are priced from their own communities and are forced to move to the mainland or enter multi-generational homes. In Hawaii, working full-time and still poor is no exception. This is the rule.
4. Oregon
Portland may be known for its progressive ideals, but that has not prevented the middle class from being priced. A once incredible country has seen a lot of transplants and technology funding, which makes housing cost enormous.
Wages don’t keep up, and Oregon’s income tax will only increase the burden. For many residents, the country’s quality of life has been cast in shadow by the pressure of continued decline. Due to limited housing development, there is no sign of improvement.
5. Colorado
Colorado’s scenic beauty and outdoor lifestyle once made it an affordable haven. But housing prices have soared as booming cities such as Denver and Boulder attract tech companies and remote workers. Income has not followed suit, and many lifelong residents are no longer able to live in the communities where they grew up.
At the same time, rising property taxes and increased competition for basic services mean that the middle class must work harder than ever before to stay in the game.
6. Massachusetts
Massachusetts offers the best hospitals and universities in the world, but that reputation comes at a price. Boston’s real estate market has swelled, with utilities and parenting costs among the country.
Even educated professionals, including hard work, teachers, public sector workers – feel squeezed. The state’s wealth is concentrated in small pockets, while the majority of the population is burdened by student loans, high rents and stagnant wages.
7. Washington
Washington State uses Seattle as its economic engine and has benefited greatly from its technological wealth. However, this prosperity also created a housing crisis, which almost prevented the middle class from keeping up.
Living near a work center is unbearable, and moving further away means enduring a long, expensive commute. Rising property taxes and limited affordable housing options create a vicious cycle: You can earn more, but you will spend more money to live.
8. Texas
Texas likes to market at affordable prices, especially without state income taxes. But the reality of the middle class tells a different story. Property taxes are the highest in the United States, health care is expensive and often unavailable, and wages remain low in many industries.
Rapid population growth in cities such as Austin and Dallas has caused soaring rents and house prices. Meanwhile, the state’s underinvestment in public services has enabled middle-class families to support the bill in other ways, which is through private education, high insurance premiums, etc.
9. Florida
Florida has long been an attractive addition to retirees, but for working middle-class families, it is increasingly difficult to justify the cost. Wages are still low, especially in the service industry, while housing prices have risen sharply.
Coupled with climate risks, rising home insurance premiums and an influx of out-of-state buyers, you have an increasing price. The sun is still free, but almost everything else is higher than ever.
10. Nevada
Nevada, especially Las Vegas, is growing rapidly. But this growth is unbalanced. Many middle-class jobs, especially in the hospitality industry, offer limited income low wages. Although real estate once made Nevada attractive, prices rose faster than revenue.
Renters in urban areas face unstable instability, and home ownership is becoming out of reach. Glirtuosity and glamour may still attract dreamers, but for many, the financial reality is demanding and unwelcome.
The Big Picture: The Middle Class on the Fringe
These ten countries illustrate a bigger national problem: the middle class is no longer a guarantee of comfort or stability. In many places, this has become a disappearing act, swallowed up by high costs, stagnant wages and policies that fail to keep working families alive.
When the middle class disappears, the economic foundation weakens. Fewer homeowners, fewer savers, fewer small business owners – these trends lead to less mobility, more debt and deeper disagreements.
If you are struggling with the middle class, you are not alone. You live in a system that rewards wealth and punishes efforts. But recognizing where the squeeze is tightest is the first step to making smarter financial and geographical decisions for your future.
Are you living in one of these states and feeling stressed? What do you need to stay or leave?
Read more:
Middle class is dying, these 7 daily expenses are killing it
The states with the lowest property tax in 6 states
Riley is an Arizona native with over nine years of writing experience. From personal finance to travel to digital marketing to popular culture, she wrote everything in the sun. When she is not writing, she will spend time outside, reading or embracing two corgis.
