Can't Afford Kids, Marriage, or a Car? Welcome to the New Middle-Class Crunch

"If starting a family, buying a house, or just thinking about purchasing a car feels impossible-you're definitely not alone. What used to define "middle class" feels further out of reach for Millennials and Gen Z than ever before. Rising costs, stagnant wages, and where you live all play huge roles in whether big life milestones feel doable-or merely like dreams. So has the middle class actually disappeared, or is it just morphing into something new?"

"Back in the post-WWII era, being middle class meant something clear and attainable- a steady job, a home you could afford on one income, being able to buy a new car, and the ability to raise a family without constant money stress. Pew Research defines the middle class as households earning about two-thirds to double the national median income, with the exact dollar figure depending on where you live."

"While the definition has not changed over the years, the percentage of people in that economic class has dropped significantly over the years. Back in 1971, about 61% of Americans were part of the middle class. Fast forward to 2023, and that number's dropped to just 51%, according to an analysis from the Pew Research Center. That's a pretty big shift, which shows how much things have changed in recent decades."

Post‑WWII middle class commonly meant a steady job, an affordable home on one income, a new car, and the ability to raise a family without constant money stress. Pew Research defines middle class as households earning about two‑thirds to double the national median income, with exact thresholds varying by location. The share of Americans classified as middle class fell from about 61% in 1971 to 51% in 2023. Median U.S. single‑family home prices rose from $164,000 in January 2012 to $466,000 by July 2025. The typical cost of raising a child increased from $165,630 in 2000 to $414,000 in 2025, while wages grew roughly 2.1 times to $62,712 as of June 2025. Rising costs, wage stagnation, and geographic differences are shrinking affordability for major life milestones.

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