What is middle class in Texas?

In Texas, the middle class generally earns between two-thirds and double the state's median household income, with recent data (early 2025) placing the statewide range around $50,000 to $150,000 annually, though this varies significantly by city, with higher incomes needed in places like Austin or Plano compared to Houston or Lubbock. Using the Pew Research definition (67%-200% of median), a recent study suggests Texas households need about $50,515 to $151,560 to be middle class, based on 2023 data.

What is upper class income in Texas?

Upper-class income in Texas varies, but generally starts around $150,000 to over $200,000+ annually, depending on family size and location, with definitions ranging from exceeding the middle-class threshold (around $152k for a family of four) to earning significantly more for the top 1%. For instance, some data suggests families need over $216k for the upper class, while top earners might make over $130k more than the 2024 state average for the top 1%. 

Is $75000 a good salary in Texas?

Yes, $75k is generally a solid salary in Texas, placing you comfortably in the middle class, especially without state income tax, but its "goodness" heavily depends on your location (Houston vs. rural), family size, and lifestyle, providing enough for basic needs and savings in most areas but requiring careful budgeting in high-cost cities like Austin. 

Is $50,000 a year middle class in Texas?

To be considered middle class in Texas, you'll need to earn between $50,515 and $151,560, according to 2025 data from SmartAsset. In order to move into the upper class, you'll likely need to earn more than $151,560.

What is considered a high salary in Texas?

While ZipRecruiter is seeing salaries as high as $139,748 and as low as $50,775, the majority of Highest salaries currently range between $69,400 (25th percentile) to $92,700 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $116,456 annually in Texas.

What Is Considered Middle Class In Texas? - Southern Culture Collective

Can I afford a 300k house on a 50k salary?

It's unlikely you can comfortably afford a $300k house on a $50k salary using standard guidelines like the 28/36 rule, which suggests a maximum monthly housing cost of about $1,167; a $300k home's total costs (mortgage, taxes, insurance) often exceed $2,000-$2,500/month, requiring closer to a $70k-$80k income, though factors like a large down payment, low debt, and specific loan programs (like FHA) can stretch affordability slightly. 

What's a livable salary in Texas?

A livable salary in Texas varies greatly by location and family size, but generally, a single adult needs around $45,000-$90,000+ annually to cover basic needs, with higher figures for bigger cities like Dallas or Austin, while a family of four might need over $100,000, highlighting significant cost differences between rural and urban areas. For example, basic living in Dallas requires about $22/hour for one adult, whereas a more comfortable life in Austin or San Antonio could demand $75k-$87k+ for one person. 

Can I afford a house making $75,000 a year?

With a $75k salary, you can generally afford a home in the $180,000 to $350,000 range, depending on debt, credit, location, and rates, with a target monthly payment of around $1,750 or less, following the 28/36 rule (housing costs under 28% of gross income, total debt under 36%). A good starting point is 2.5 to 3 times your income, so roughly $187,500 to $225,000, but factors like a good credit score, low debt, and a healthy down payment allow for more. 

What is top 10% income in Texas?

To be in the top 10% of earners in Texas, you generally need an annual income around $260,000 or more, though figures vary slightly by source and year, with some 2024/2025 estimates placing it around this mark for individual/household earnings. This places you significantly above the state's median income, putting you in the highest tier of earners, with top 1% thresholds even higher, exceeding $700,000 in some recent analyses. 

Am I working class or middle class?

Whether you're working class or middle class depends on income, but also job type, education, and lifestyle; generally, middle class means earning roughly 2/3 to double the median income (around $57k-$170k for families recently), with higher job security/education, while working class often involves lower wages, manual labor, and less control over work, though some high-paid manual jobs blur lines. You can check your status using Pew Research Center's calculator or by comparing your income/job to general brackets, keeping in mind definitions vary.
 

What are the 5 wealth classes?

The concept of "5 wealth classes" often refers to a breakdown of U.S. households by net worth, typically categorizing them as the Bottom 25%, Lower Middle Class, Upper Middle Class, Upper Class (top 25%), and the Wealthiest 10%, with defined net worth ranges for each tier, according to financial reports like those from MarketWatch. Another perspective defines wealth more broadly across five dimensions: Financial, Social, Time, Physical (Health), and Spiritual wealth, focusing on overall life quality beyond just money. 

What is the wealthiest zip code in Texas?

The richest ZIP code in Texas often varies slightly by metric (income vs. home value) and year, but consistently features areas like 76092 (Southlake) for high income and 75205 (Highland Park/Dallas) or 78746 (West Lake Hills/Austin) for expensive homes, with 77005 (Houston/West University Place) also ranking high in income and property value. For instance, recent data shows 76092 leading in mean income, while 75205 and 78746 have some of the state's highest median home values. 

What are the highest paying jobs in Texas?

The highest paying jobs in Texas are predominantly in specialized medicine, like Anesthesiologists, Surgeons, and Cardiologists, earning well into the six figures, alongside high-level tech roles such as Chief Technology Officers, engineering (Petroleum, Chemical), and executive positions (CEOs). Other top earners include Psychiatrists, Dentists, Nurse Anesthetists, and skilled trades like Rig Welders, often supported by Texas's strong energy, tech, and healthcare sectors. 

Can you live comfortably on 100K a year in Texas?

Yes, $100K is a good salary in Texas. Without state income tax and with generally lower living costs, $100,000 can provide financial comfort, stability, and lifestyle flexibility. Whether you're planning to move or evaluating your earnings, Texas offers solid value for that income level.

How much house can I afford on a $500,000 salary?

With a $500k salary, you can likely afford a home well into the $2 million to $3 million+ range, depending on your down payment, credit, and other debts, but lenders look for total housing costs (PITI) under 36% of your gross monthly income, meaning around $15,000/month for PITI, allowing for a substantial mortgage payment on a high-value home like a $2.4M property or more. 

What credit score do I need for a mortgage?

You generally need a credit score of 620 or higher for a conventional mortgage, but requirements vary significantly by loan type, with government-backed FHA loans allowing scores as low as 500 (with a larger down payment) and VA/USDA loans having no official minimum but lender discretion. A higher score (740+) secures better interest rates, while scores below 620 might require FHA, VA, or USDA loans, or higher down payments on conventional loans, but strong finances can sometimes offset lower scores. 

How much loan can I get on a 75000 salary?

One of the key factors determining home loan eligibility is the net in-hand salary. As a thumb rule, you can get a home loan up to 60 times your net monthly salary. Hence, depending on other criteria, you can avail of home loans between ₹30 lakh and ₹45 lakh on a ₹51,000 - ₹75,000 salary.

Is $30 an hour good in Texas?

Yes, $30 an hour (about $62,400/year) is generally considered a solid wage in Texas, often above the average hourly rate, and can provide a comfortable living in many areas, but its "goodness" depends heavily on your location (big city vs. rural), lifestyle (single vs. family), and whether it includes benefits like health insurance and retirement. It's great for starting out or for single individuals but might be tighter for supporting a family, especially with student loans, though it's well above the state's minimum wage. 

What is $40 an hour annually in Texas?

While ZipRecruiter is seeing salaries as high as $92,700 and as low as $39,595, the majority of 40 An Hour Yearly salaries currently range between $60,600 (25th percentile) to $77,300 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $86,178 annually in Texas.

How much is $25 an hour annually in Texas?

As of Dec 29, 2025, the average annual pay for a 25 An Hour in Texas is $28,931 a year.

Is it better to rent or buy?

It's better to rent for flexibility, lower upfront costs, and less responsibility for maintenance, while buying builds equity and offers stability but requires significant capital, long-term commitment (5+ years is often recommended), and responsibility for all upkeep, taxes, and fees, making the best choice highly personal, depending on your finances, lifestyle, and location. 

Does credit score affect mortgage amount?

A higher score increases a lender's confidence that you will make payments on time and may help you qualify for lower mortgage interest rates and fees. Additionally, some lenders may reduce their down payment requirements if you have a high credit score.

How much loan can I get on an $50,000 salary?

On a $50,000 salary, you can typically afford a house priced from $125,000 to over $200,000, or a personal loan up to around $50,000, depending heavily on your debt, credit score, and down payment; lenders often cap total monthly debt (including mortgage/loan) at 36% of your gross income (around $1,500/month for $50k salary). A good rule of thumb is your total housing payment (PITI: Principal, Interest, Taxes, Insurance) shouldn't exceed $1,167 (28% of $4,167 monthly income), but your actual loan amount varies greatly by lender and specific costs. 

What is the #1 city to move to in Texas?

A new study ranks Allen, Frisco and Plano as the top three Texas cities to move to. Seven of the top 10 cities are in DFW; Leander, Sugar Land, and League City round out the statewide list. Major cities like Houston, San Antonio, Dallas and Austin rank low due to safety and affordability issues.