Houston's Middle-Class Income Range Lowest Among Major Texas Cities

New study finds Houston's middle-class income threshold starts at $42,907, lower than Austin, Dallas, and other fast-growing Texas metros.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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A new study from SmartAsset found that to be considered middle class in Houston, residents need to make at least $42,907 and no more than $128,722. This middle-class income range is lower than other major Texas cities like Austin, Dallas, and San Antonio, as well as fast-growing suburbs like Frisco and Plano where the upper bounds exceed $200,000. The analysis highlights how the definition of middle class can vary significantly by geography across Texas.

Why it matters

The study underscores the diverging affordability and income growth trends across Texas' largest metro areas. While Houston remains one of the more affordable major cities, its lower median income and middle-class thresholds reflect how the cost of living and maintaining a middle-class lifestyle can differ greatly depending on where one lives in the state.

The details

According to the study, Houston's median household income is $64,361, with the middle-class range stretching from roughly $43,000 to nearly $129,000. In comparison, the middle-class income range is $49,549 to $148,646 in Dallas, $60,287 to $180,860 in Austin, and $44,117 to $132,352 in San Antonio. The numbers jump even higher in fast-growing North Texas suburbs like Frisco and Plano, where the middle-class range tops out near $291,000 and $231,000 respectively.

  • The study used the latest Census Bureau data to apply Pew Research Center's definition of middle-class income.

The players

SmartAsset

A financial technology company that conducted the study on middle-class income thresholds across Texas.

Pew Research Center

A nonpartisan think tank that defines middle-class income as households earning between two-thirds and double their area's median income, which was used as the basis for the study.

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The takeaway

The study highlights how the definition of middle class can vary significantly by geography across Texas, with Houston's middle-class income range starting lower than other major metros. This reflects the diverging affordability and income growth trends, where Houston remains relatively more affordable but also has lower median incomes compared to fast-growing cities and suburbs.