Stagnant wages, housing chaos, and insurance nightmares redefine the American Dream in Florida. We crunched the numbers—here’s who’s thriving, who’s drowning, and what comes next.
Fla. News Network — Ten years ago, a $50,000 salary in Florida could secure a modest house, a reliable car, and maybe even a family vacation. Today, that same income might barely cover rent. The middle class—once the backbone of the state’s economy—is being hollowed out, crushed by a toxic cocktail of surging housing costs, stagnant wages, and climate-driven insurance hikes. So, what does it take to call yourself “middle class” in 2024? And why does it feel like the goalposts keep moving?…