Feb 26, 2026 | 12:49 pm
A new study tracking the upper and lower thresholds for middle class households across the nation’s largest cities has revealed Dallasites have to make at least a few grand more than last year to maintain their middle class status, but in other North Texas cities, residents can make up to $291,000 and still be labeled “middle class.”
According to SmartAsset’s just-released annual report, “What It Takes to Be Middle Class in America – 2026 Study,” Dallas households need to make anywhere from $49,549 to $148,646 to qualify as middle class earners this year.
Compared to 2025, Dallasites need to make $2,806 more per year to meet the minimum threshold for a middle class status, whereas the upper bound has stretched $8,404 higher. The median income for a Dallas household in 2024 was $73,323, the study added…