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Living in Los Angeles has its own unique challenges, particularly when it comes to money. How much money is considered middle class in LA? This is a difficult question to answer, as there is no single definition of what constitutes a middle class income in the city.
According to the Economic Policy Institute, middle class households in the Los Angeles metro area made between $25,000 and $150,000 in 2025. For reference, the median household income in LA was $70,887 in 2019, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. This means that half of households in the city earned more than this amount and half earned less.
While income is one measure of what it means to be middle class, it’s not the only one. The cost of living in Los Angeles is significantly higher than the national average. To account for this, experts suggest that middle class households in the city should earn at least 150% of the median income or $106,331.
In addition to income, other measures of middle class status include home ownership, educational attainment, and savings. For example, according to the National Association of Realtors, the median home price in Los Angeles in 2025 was $715,000. This means that to become a homeowner in the city, a middle class family would need to have at least a six-figure income.
It’s also important to note that there is a great deal of economic inequality in Los Angeles. The city has some of the highest poverty rates in the nation, as well as some of the wealthiest neighbourhoods in the world. To truly understand the concept of “middle class” in LA, it’s important to consider the broader context of income inequality in the city.
Calculating the Average Income of Middle Class in Los Angeles
Los Angeles is one of the most expensive cities in the United States, and it is particularly difficult to determine the average income of the middle class. But according to the latest data released by the United States Census Bureau, the median household income in Los Angeles is $72,111. This figure is slightly higher than the national median household income, which is $68,703. This suggests that the middle class in Los Angeles is well off, compared to other cities in the US.
In order to calculate the average income of the middle class in Los Angeles, it is necessary to take into account the cost of living. The cost of living in Los Angeles is significantly higher than the national average, and this means that the middle class may have to earn higher incomes in order to maintain their standard of living. According to the Economic Policy Institute, the cost of living adjusted for median household income in Los Angeles is $82,012. This figure is significantly higher than the national average of $62,722.
Furthermore, it is important to consider the regional differences in the median household incomes in Los Angeles. The median household incomes in some parts of Los Angeles are much higher than the overall median. For example, the median household income in the affluent Westside of Los Angeles is $105,711, which is significantly higher than the overall median household income in Los Angeles. Conversely, the median household income in the less affluent South Central Los Angeles is only $48,092.
In order to get a better understanding of the average income of the middle class in Los Angeles, it is important to take into account the income distribution in the city. According to the latest data from the US Census Bureau, the top 20% of households in Los Angeles earn an average of $154,611 per year, while the bottom 20% of households earn an average of $19,593 per year. This suggests that the average income of the middle class in Los Angeles is somewhere in between these two figures.
In conclusion, the average income of the middle class in Los Angeles is difficult to determine due to the wide range of incomes in the city. However, the median household income in Los Angeles is $72,111, and the cost of living adjusted for median household income is $82,012. Furthermore, the top 20% of households in Los Angeles earn an average of $154,611 per year, while the bottom 20% of households earn an average of $19,593 per year. This suggests that the average income of the middle class in Los Angeles is somewhere in between these two figures.
Identifying the Los Angeles Middle Class by Income Range
Living in Los Angeles can be expensive. When determining what kind of income range is considered middle-class in this area, many factors should be taken into consideration. Incomes can vary greatly depending on the location in the city, the type of job, the number of people in the household, and other factors. This post will provide an overview of what income ranges are considered middle-class in Los Angeles.
According to the US Census Bureau, the median household income in LA County is $65,978. This means that half of all households in the county earn less than this amount, and half earn more. This is the best overall estimate of middle-class incomes in the area.
However, if we look closer at the data, the median household income can vary greatly depending on the particular city or ZIP code. In some areas, the median household income is much lower than the county median. For example, in Watts, it is $35,307. Other areas, such as Beverly Hills, have much higher median household incomes, at $99,296.
To better understand the scope of incomes considered middle-class in Los Angeles, we can look at the income ranges of the top 20% and the bottom 20% of households. The top 20% of households earn more than $95,746, and the bottom 20% of households earn less than $38,364. This gives us a range of incomes that lie between the top and bottom 20%, which can be considered middle-class.
It’s important to note that the definition of middle-class in Los Angeles is not static. As the cost of living in the area continues to rise, incomes will become more stratified, with the middle-class shrinking to a smaller range of incomes.
In conclusion, the median household income in Los Angeles County is $65,978, and the middle-class income range can be considered to be between $38,364 and $95,746. However, as the cost of living continues to rise, the middle-class income range may become more limited.
