KEY TAKEAWAYS: Louisiana‘s middle-class income averages about $81,314, with the range spanning from $40,657 to $121,972. SmartAsset defines Louisiana’s lower middle-class threshold at $40,657 and upper middle-class threshold at $121,972. Louisiana’s median household income is $60,986, ab out 25% below the U.S. median of $83,730. About 18.7% of Louisiana residents live in poverty, while roughly 40% to 45% fall into middle-income households.   Nationally, the median income for middle-class households ranges between $56,000 and $169,800, according to the Pew Research Center. However, depending on where you live, the income needed to be considered middle class varies. Being “middle class” is defined by having enough money to live comfortably, having enough income to own a home, raise a family and still have discretionary funds. What is Middle Class in Louisiana? In Louisiana, it takes $121,972 to be considered upper middle class and $40,657 to be considered lower middle class, according to SmartAsset. This means that the average middle-class household income in Louisiana is approximately $81,314. Roughly 40 to 45% of Louisiana residents live in middle-class or middle-income households, according to brcitykey. Around 18.7% of Louisiana residents live in poverty, with the poverty threshold capping at a median household income of less than $30,000, according to USAFacts. The median household income in the state is $60,986, which is around 25% lower than U.S. median household income of $83,730, according to Income by Zip Code. What is takes to be middle class in each state according to SmartAsset Massachusetts: $209,656 for upper middle class and $69,885 for lower middle class New Jersey: $208,588 and $69,529 Maryland: $205,810 and $68,603 Hawaii: $201,490 and $67,163 California: $200,298 and $66,766 New Hampshire: $199,564 and $66,521 Washington: $198,778 and $66,259 Colorado: $194,226 and $64,742 Utah: $193,316 and $64,439 Connecticut: $192,098 and $64,033 Alaska: $191,330 and $63,777 Virginia: $184,180 and $61,393 Delaware: $175,068 and $58,356 Minnesota: $174,234 and $58,078 New York: $171,640 and $57,213 Oregon: $170,440 and $56,813 Rhode Island: $167,008 and $55,669 Illinois: $166,422 and $55,474 Vermont: $165,460 and $55,153 Arizona: $162,972 and $54,324 Idaho: $162,332 and $54,111 Nevada: $162,268 and $54,089 Georgia: $159,982 and $53,327 Texas: $159,442 and $53,147 North Dakota: $155,742 and $51,914 Florida: $155,470 and $51,823 Pennsylvania: $155,090 and $51,697 Wisconsin: $154,976 and $51,659 South Dakota: $153,762 and $51,254 Maine: $152,884 and $50,961 Nebraska: $152,752 and $50,917 Wyoming: $151,064 and $50,355 Kansas: $151,028 and $50,343 Iowa: $151,002 and $50,334 Montana: $150,680 and $50,227 North Carolina: $147,916 and $49,305 Michigan: $144,778 and $48,259 South Carolina: $144,700 and $48,233 Ohio: $144,424 and $48,141 Tennessee: $143,994 and $47,998 Indiana: $143,918 and $47,973 Missouri: $143,178 and $47,726 New Mexico: $135,632 and $45,211 Alabama: $133,318 and $44,439 Oklahoma: $132,296 and $44,099 Kentucky: $129,052 and $43,017 Arkansas: $124,212 and $41,404 Louisiana: $121,972 and $40,657 West Virginia: $121,596 and $40,532 Mississippi: $118,254 and $39,418 Presley Bo Tyler is the Louisiana Deep South Connect Team reporter for USA Today Network. Find her on X @PresleyTyler02 and email at [email protected] This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: What must you earn to be middle class in Louisiana? Reporting by Presley Bo Tyler, Shreveport Times / Shreveport Times USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect ...read more read less