<p>Agentninetynine–sure it’s an indicator but only a small piece of the puzzle. $100,000 goes a LOT father in some parts of the country then it does in others. In come areas that $100,000 is very upper middle class or upper class, in other’s you are living paycheck to paycheck. I don’t think it’s a “government” definition as much as it is a society definition. </p>
<p>A middle class family should be able to afford 'average" living space-house/apartment, whatever is the norm for that area, pay their bills without too much worry, be putting money aside for retirement, have health insurance and have a small budget for going out to eat once in a while and a few bucks left over at the end of the month. That is a pretty middle class lifestyle in the US no matter where you live. How much you make to do this, varies widely.</p>