WaPo: Middle-class parents closely watching changes in Prince George’s public schools

[Fast GTO]

Originally Posted by KCP_1980

Fast GTO - you don't think $150K is middle class? In this area? Our household income is in the $150s and we are definitely not wealthy. Cost of living and income are linked. It's expensive to live in the DC metro.

I'd consider it upper middle class, even in this area.

Buying more than you can afford can shrink a lot of peoples income, even the wealthy.

The problem is that more income generally means more expensive toys and high standards. The 150K can quickly shrink when buying a $500K home and owning two $60K cars along with trying to pay for private school. But I'm not sure there are many that would consider that middle class.

I'm from the midwest and middle class has a different meaning.

[molukai]

If you think 150K is a minimum standard in the DMV region for middle class, you are straight up delusional and/or abhorrently self entitled.

[justtitans]

Originally Posted by KCP_1980

Fast GTO - you don't think $150K is middle class? In this area? Our household income is in the $150s and we are definitely not wealthy. Cost of living and income are linked. It's expensive to live in the DC metro.

It is expensive to live in DC but it just depends on what your wealth is outside of your income. In general terms $150k is a lot of money, even in this region. Let's put it like this, $150k is twice the median income of PG. Whatever you do with your money is your business but I'm sure there are cases where people who make that kind of money they may not use their money the same way you do. If someone makes twice as much as half the population, it's pretty hard say they are in the "middle" as far as income.

[mysticaltyger]

Originally Posted by EdwardA

My father paid for 6 years of private school and he was a cab driver. Now this was in the 80s so maybe the cost structure was different.

I went to Catholic school in the 80s. Tuition has gone up a lot since then, outpacing incomes, especially those of folks like cab drivers.

[Fast GTO]

Originally Posted by pgtvatitans

It is expensive to live in DC but it just depends on what your wealth is outside of your income. In general terms $150k is a lot of money, even in this region. Let's put it like this, $150k is twice the median income of PG. Whatever you do with your money is your business but I'm sure there are cases where people who make that kind of money they may not use their money the same way you do. If someone makes twice as much as half the population, it's pretty hard say they are in the "middle" as far as income.

People want to be labeled as middle class. It is a psychological thing. Most view being middle class as 'honorable' in some way. Making less means you are poor, and making more means you are a snob. As a result people try to fit themselves into the label.

[armory]

Middle class is the norm of this country. Some areas, this one in particular have a definite upper middle class. That is about where it really stops unless you are pulling down mid to high six figures. Since the federal government is the major employer in the area I discount many upper middle class earners.
What was middle class just 30 years ago? That is what most immigrants strive to reach but the reality of the cost of living smacks them in the face when they try to earn a living. Our middle class of 30 years ago is wealthy to them and what they probably expected.