What income do you consider middle-class and rich in NJ?? (Alpine: how much, houses)

[ghuber]

I know you're all gonna love this one... In your opinion, how much do you need to earn (household income) in order to be considered middle class, upper middle class and rich in NJ? Try to factor in the generally absurd cost of living.

I think middle class can be defined as $75-150k in NJ. Upper-middle class 151k-250k. Rich 251k+. Oh I consider these brackets mainly applicable for Northern and most of central NJ. From my understanding southern parts of our state are different as the cost of living is quite a bit less.

[wileynj]

Originally Posted by ghuber

I know you're all gonna love this one... In your opinion, how much do you need to earn (household income) in order to be considered middle class, upper middle class and rich in NJ? Try to factor in the generally absurd cost of living.

I think middle class can be defined as $75-150k in NJ. Upper-middle class 151k-250k. Rich 251k+. Oh I consider these brackets mainly applicable for Northern and most of central NJ. From my understanding southern parts of our state are different as the cost of living is quite a bit less.

I could agree with that... politicians may disagree as they think 75K is rich

[proudmama]

Originally Posted by ghuber

I know you're all gonna love this one... In your opinion, how much do you need to earn (household income) in order to be considered middle class, upper middle class and rich in NJ? Try to factor in the generally absurd cost of living.

I think middle class can be defined as $75-150k in NJ. Upper-middle class 151k-250k. Rich 251k+. Oh I consider these brackets mainly applicable for Northern and most of central NJ. From my understanding southern parts of our state are different as the cost of living is quite a bit less.

Wiley, middle class is capped at $75K if you notice everything that the government give as a tax write-off or incentive is phased out at that level. Upper middle class is $75-$150K anything more than that is rich.

[wileynj]

Originally Posted by proudmama

Wiley, middle class is capped at $75K if you notice everything that the government give as a tax write-off or incentive is phased out at that level. Upper middle class is $75-$150K anything more than that is rich.

wow! I guess they don't realize how expensive NJ is... that's poverty level anymore

[JG183]

to live comfortably in NJ, I'd say each person needs to make $83K - $87K per year...

[elflord1973]

Originally Posted by ghuber

I know you're all gonna love this one... In your opinion, how much do you need to earn (household income) in order to be considered middle class, upper middle class and rich in NJ? Try to factor in the generally absurd cost of living.

I think middle class can be defined as $75-150k in NJ. Upper-middle class 151k-250k. Rich 251k+. Oh I consider these brackets mainly applicable for Northern and most of central NJ. From my understanding southern parts of our state are different as the cost of living is quite a bit less.

I don't think household income is a good measure of whether or not you're middle class.

The median family in the typical "middle class" suburb earns about 80k, but 80k is not enough to buy in those areas in today's market.

[dhanu86]

Originally Posted by ghuber

I know you're all gonna love this one... In your opinion, how much do you need to earn (household income) in order to be considered middle class, upper middle class and rich in NJ? Try to factor in the generally absurd cost of living.

I think middle class can be defined as $75-150k in NJ. Upper-middle class 151k-250k. Rich 251k+. Oh I consider these brackets mainly applicable for Northern and most of central NJ. From my understanding southern parts of our state are different as the cost of living is quite a bit less.

Household income
Middle class - [75-200k]
Uppermiddle class - [200-400k]
Rich [400-..........Alpine]
For suburban people who are paying on their house. Half of nj doesn't even make 75k.

[RobRiguez]

I tend to agree with dhanu's numbers a bit more for NY/NJ Metro Area. Many of my friends and colleagues are in the 150-200k range with dual income and I would not consider them "Upper Middle Class". Most of us have some nice stuff buts no-one is "Fancy". Most of us are in low to mid priced vehicles. Most of our houses are in the 3-400k price range (during bubble times).

[GiantRutgersfan]

it really depends on when you moved to the area. If you bought a first house within the last 10 years, you need more money. you probably need to be making $120,000 just to be a middle class family in North Jersey.

if you bought a house before then, it's not too bad. $80,000 a year for a family would be middle class.


thats why housing prices in NJ need to go way down.... otherwise there will be no middle class in NJ.

[Raven1976]

Originally Posted by JG183

to live comfortably in NJ, I'd say each person needs to make $83K - $87K per year...

ouch! not a lot of jobs that make that. I sure as hell don't. FOrget it for teachers

I never understood what kind of jobs make that kind of money unless you're maybe a nurse or something higher up in the corporate world??? Most jobs around here that I know about seem to pay 30k-60ish