How Much Do You Need to Earn in Minnesota to be Middle Class?

Growing up, if you are like me, you grew up thinking everyone was basically middle class.  Not upper middle class, just straight up middle class.

WHAT IS THE COST OF LIVING AND MEDIAN SALARY TO BE CONSIDERED MIDDLE CLASS

Now, I wonder how much does the average person need to earn in order to be considered as middle class here in Minnesota?  After I looked it up, it was actually a little higher than I thought it would be.

From FOX 9 News: 

According to the study, Minnesota is ranked 38th in affordability for being upper-middle class, with the most expensive being ranked 50th and the least expensive being ranked first. In Minnesota, the median household income is $86,372. The lowest end of upper-middle class income is $134,357, while the highest end of upper-middle class income is $172,744. 

DOES THAT GO ALONG WITH ABOUT WHAT YOU THOUGHT IT WOULD BE

I always thought that if you made at least $60K to $70K you were for sure in the middle class zone.  Apparently, according to the above findings, that is absolutely not the case.  You need more than that.  And I mean for the household.  No wonder everyone is complaining about their wages.  Although I do feel like that is career based.  Not for everyday servers and workers at say a fast food restaurant.  Are you supposed to be able to live on that, or is this type of job considered to be entry level and not something that you're supposed to be able to live on?  That is the question.

HOW DO THE SURROUNDING STATES COMPARE TO MINNESOTA

If you look at Wisconsin and the Dakotas, the median level income is a little less to be at the middle class or upper middle class region.  I have lived in both of those states - not South Dakota, but North Dakota and also Wisconsin.  The cost of living is a bit lower than it is here, especially when you take into consideration taxes in each state.

As it looks, Minnesota is the most expensive state to live in when you also look at Iowa and Illinois.  So, all of the states surrounding Minnesota have a cost of living less then Minnesota.  Hmmm Houston.... we have a problem.

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