Inflation is slashing middle-class incomes. Here’s where it’s worst

(NEXSTAR) – You probably don’t need the data to tell you that money has gotten a little tighter for most people.

Wage growth for many middle-class households isn’t keeping up with inflation, especially with the major spikes in home prices during COVID and energy costs since the start of the Iran War.

A new analysis by personal finance site MoneyLion found only two states have seen healthy growth in middle-class income compared to inflation. Between 2019 and 2024 (the most recent year of data available), middle-class income grew more than 10% in Louisiana and Mississippi.

Most Americans were not so lucky. Fourteen states actually saw middle-class incomes decrease by at least 10% over the same time period, when compared to the rising cost of living:

Median household income 2024: $104,828

Median household income 2019: $81,215

Necessities cost of living annually 2024: $75,571

Necessities cost of living annually 2019: $49,633

5-year % change in income compared to 5-year % change in cost of living: -23.2%

Median household income 2024: $104,294

Median household income 2019: $82,545

Necessities cost of living annually 2024: $65,009

Necessities cost of living annually 2019: $43,583

5-year % change in income compared to 5-year % change in cost of living: -22.8%

Median household income 2024: $99,782

Median household income 2019: $76,768

Necessities cost of living annually 2024: $61,191

Necessities cost of living annually 2019: $41,061

5-year % change in income compared to 5-year % change in cost of living: -19.1%

Median household income 2024: $85,820

Median household income 2019: $68,486

Necessities cost of living annually 2024: $58,287

Necessities cost........

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