The Middle Class is Growing in These California Cities
Despite a steady decline in the middle class across the majority of the U.S., a handful of cities have begun to see the opposite. According to a new study, California in particular has several cities where the middle class appears to be thriving.
California Cities Lead the Way
MoneyGeek analyzed over 600 cities in the U.S. and found that the middle class is growing by 40% in those cities. Five California cities finished ranked in the top 10 of cities that saw the most growth since 2018.
Top 5 California Cities
The city that saw the largest growth in middle class homes was Costa Mesa, which has had a 7.6% growth and was ranked fifth in the entire country. With a population of a little over 108,000, over 48% of residents make between $67,622 and $202,866 and are considered middle class in Costa Mesa.
Turlock was not far behind on the list at No. 6, which had a 7.2% increase. Residents here don’t need to make as much as Costa Mesa to be considered middle class however, as you’re in the middle class if you make between $54,397 and $163,190.
Here’s how the other California cities that made the list fared:
| U.S. Rank | City | Difference in Middle-Income Households (2018–23) | Middle-Income Households (2023) | Middle Income Floor (2023) | Middle Income Ceiling (2023) | Population (2023) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Alameda, CA | 7.0% | 45.4% | $81,211 | $243,634 | 75,344 |
| 8 | Chino, CA | 6.9% | 51.2% | $69,457 | $208,370 | 93,122 |
| 10 | Redlands, CA | 6.2% | 47.7% | $65,295 | $195,886 | 72,552 |
Conclusion
The growth of the middle class in these California cities is a promising trend, and it’s essential to understand the factors contributing to this increase. While it’s not surprising that California cities are leading the way, it’s heartening to see that not all is doom and gloom when it comes to the state’s economic landscape.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the source of the data?
A: The data is from a study conducted by MoneyGeek.
Q: How many cities were analyzed in the study?
A: Over 600 cities in the U.S. were analyzed.
Q: What is the definition of middle class in the study?
A: The definition of middle class varies by city, but generally, it refers to households with incomes between a certain floor and ceiling.
