Just looked at some data on what actually counts as upper-middle class income across the Midwest, and it's pretty interesting how much it varies state to state. Turns out the threshold is way different depending on where you are. In Michigan specifically, you're looking at needing around $110k to hit that upper-middle class bracket, which is actually on the lower end compared to some neighboring states. Minnesota's threshold is significantly higher at $136k, while Indiana's sitting at about $109k. The median household income in Michigan is around $71k, so there's a pretty big jump from regular middle class to upper-middle. What caught my attention is how the middle class income range itself is pretty wide - in Michigan it spans from roughly $47k to $142k. That's a massive band. Illinois is even more dramatic with their range going up to $163k at the top. Seems like the Pew Research definition of middle class (two-thirds to double the median) creates some pretty substantial income spreads depending on the state's overall median. If you're in the Midwest and wondering where you actually fall, these numbers give you a clearer picture. The upper-middle class barrier isn't some magic number - it really depends on regional economics. Interesting stuff if you're thinking about income goals or relocating within the region.