What is middle class?

[HI54UNI]

I was reading some articles today about the hidden taxes in the healthcare bill and how it could impact the middle class. One person quoted considered the income levels to be "rich".

So what income range do you consider to be middle class?

[native]

I was reading some articles today about the hidden taxes in the healthcare bill and how it could impact the middle class. One person quoted considered the income levels to be "rich".

So what income range do you consider to be middle class?

Anyone who actually WORKS and pays taxes. Say, $25k to $250k per year depending on the locality. For example, $30k would be poor in San Diego but middle class in Oklahoma City. $200k per year would be rich in Oklahoma City but not so much in San Diego.

[AZGrizFan]

I'm solidly middle class.

I may make a lot of money, but I spend a lot of money too.

[danefan]

The healthcare bill contains a new "meidcare tax" on income over $200,000 for individual filers and $250,000 for joint filers.

So apparently $250,000 household income is the upper limit to the middle-class.

That's pretty accurate I think in most places, including the NYC area. You can live pretty well in the NY/NJ/CT area on $250,000 a year. You may not live a particularly lavish life in Manhattan but I know people that live a pretty nice life in Manhattan on less than that.

$250,000 a year anywhere else is a lot of money, IMO.

[kalm]

I'm solidly middle class.

I may make a lot of money, but I spend a lot of money too.

Good god, you are such a liberal.

[kalm]

A middle class person should be able to afford comprehensive healthcare, educate their children, and retire with dignity.

Pretty much what Teddy Roosevelt was calling for a century ago. Thanks to Reaganomics, we have regressed.

[Grizo406]

Some of my "middle class" friends from last season...

[kalm]

Some of my "middle class" friends from last season...

Yup, them thar is some middle class folks.

[SDHornet]

I was reading some articles today about the hidden taxes in the healthcare bill and how it could impact the middle class. One person quoted considered the income levels to be "rich".

So what income range do you consider to be middle class?

Anyone who actually WORKS and pays taxes. Say, $25k to $250k per year depending on the locality. For example, $30k would be poor in San Diego but middle class in Oklahoma City. $200k per year would be rich in Oklahoma City but not so much in San Diego.

Pre-tax I don't even think you can live in SD on that.

[Grizo406]

Some of my "middle class" friends from last season...

Yup, them thar is some middle class folks.

Well, some of us are!??!

[AZGrizFan]

I'm solidly middle class.

I may make a lot of money, but I spend a lot of money too.

Good god, you are such a liberal.

[89Hen]

depending on the locality

One of my biggest pet peeves. When the Gov issues housing legislation (FHA) with loan limits, they clearly take into consideration housing prices in different areas. Surrounding DC area has FHA loan limits of $729,750. For comparison sake, you can drive an hour into Virginia and find counties with an FHA loan limit of $271,050. That means houses are more than 2.5x more expensive in my county (and that includes all my county where prices are VERY different further out and for condos which they probably don't even have in Accomack County. However, when it comes to income taxe rates and rules, everyone is lumped together.