At the national level, the middle class is typically defined as households that earn between two-thirds and double the household median income. Based on 2023 figures, that means those with an annual income between $53,740 and $161,220. Compared to its peak, inflation in the U.S. has eased substantially. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual rate of inflation was 2.4% in September, as measured by the consumer price index. But that hasn’t necessarily led to a dramatic decline in