30 Cities Where Paychecks Are Shrinking — And Growing — The Fastest

Roughly half of all Americans live in the middle class, according to a 2021 study by the Pew Research Center, yet even the middle class has significantly shrunk — around 11% since 1971. And while the upper-earning income class has grown, so has the lower class, with an ever-widening income gap showing how tough times are for many.

Additionally, the term “middle income” varies drastically depending on where you live. A good median household income can be whittled away by factors like home prices, high living costs and taxes. At the same time, in some areas of the country, incomes are rising faster than costs — which is no small feat in these high inflationary days. In other metros, however, slow — or even negative — income growth contributes to an entire region’s struggles.

To find the metros where paychecks are shrinking and growing, GOBankingRates analyzed year-to-year income changes from 2021 to 2022 for America’s 200 largest metro areas, based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau‘s American Consumer Survey. We identified the 15 metro areas where incomes have increased the most and the 15 areas where incomes have increased the least. In the areas that are shrinking, Texas and Pennsylvania both made multiple appearances. While in the areas that are growing, California and Georgia showed up the most.

In the following 15 regions, paychecks are showing a pattern of shrinking.

• 2021 median income: $49,298
• 2022 median income: $47,654
• Percent change in year-over-year income: -3.33%

• 2021 median income: $119,449
• 2022 median income: $115,435
• Percent change in year-over-year income: -3.36%

• 2021 median income: $54,536
• 2022 median income: $52,664
• Percent change in year-over-year income: -3.43%

• 2021 median income: $40,782
• 2022 median income: $39,362
• Percent change in year-over-year income: -3.48%

• 2021 median income: $80,170
• 2022 median income: $77,350
• Percent change in year-over-year income: -3.52%

• 2021 median income: $43,243
• 2022 median income: $41,679
• Percent change in year-over-year income: -3.62%

• 2021 median income: $70,580
• 2022 median income: $67,893
• Percent change in year-over-year income: -3.81%

• 2021 median income: $43,804
• 2022 median income: $42,012
• Percent change in year-over-year income: -4.09%

• 2021 median income: $66,345
• 2022 median income: $63,423
• Percent change in year-over-year income: -4.40%

• 2021 median income: $131,980
• 2022 median income: $126,108
• Percent change in year-over-year income: -4.45%

• 2021 median income: $71,622
• 2022 median income: $68,396
• Percent change in year-over-year income: -4.50%

• 2021 median income: $67,268
• 2022 median income: $64,011
• Percent change in year-over-year income: -4.84%

• 2021 median income: $34,554
• 2022 median income: $32,877
• Percent change in year-over-year income: -4.85%

• 2021 median income: $50,552
• 2022 median income: $48,088
• Percent change in year-over-year income: -4.87%

• 2021 median income: $137,819
• 2022 median income: $117,108
• Percent change in year-over-year income: -15.03%

In these 15 metros, income rose sharply between 2021 and 2022,with the fastest-growing areas experiencing massive year-over-year increases in earnings.

• 2021 median income: $117,472
• 2022 median income: $146,302
• Percent change in year-over-year income: 24.54%

• 2021 median income: $46,217
• 2022 median income: $57,633
• Percent change in year-over-year income: 24.70%

• 2021 median income: $54,321
• 2022 median income: $68,165
• Percent change in year-over-year income: 25.49%

• 2021 median income: $131,367
• 2022 median income: $165,184
• Percent change in year-over-year income: 25.74%

• 2021 median income: $45,313
• 2022 median income: $57,175
• Percent change in year-over-year income: 26.18%

• 2021 median income: $109,419
• 2022 median income:$138,613
• Percent change in year-over-year income: 26.68%

• 2021 median income: $36,901
• 2022 median income: $46,800
• Percent change in year-over-year income: 26.83%

• 2021 median income: $82,079
• 2022 median income: $104,649
• Percent change in year-over-year income: 27.50%

• 2021 median income: $32,963
• 2022 median income: $42,314
• Percent change in year-over-year income: 28.37%

• 2021 median income: $40,688
• 2022 median income: $52,466
• Percent change in year-over-year income: 28.95%

• 2021 median income: $31,992
• 2022 median income: $41,479
• Percent change in year-over-year income: 29.65%

• 2021 median income: $34,639
• 2022 median income: $45,545
• Percent change in year-over-year income: 31.48%

• 2021 median income: $78,349
• 2022 median income: $103,879
• Percent change in year-over-year income: 32.58%

• 2021 median income: $28,221
• 2022 median income: $37,718
• Percent change in year-over-year income: 33.65%

• 2021 median income: $39,578
• 2022 median income: $54,927
• Percent change in year-over-year income: 38.78%

Andrew Lisa contributed to the reporting for this article.

Methodology: To find the 30 cities where paychecks are shrinking and growing, GOBankingRates analyzed U.S. cities across factors, including (1) total households (minimum 5,000), (2) 2022 median income and (3) 2021 median income as sourced from U.S. Census American Consumer Survey. Using these factors, the year over year change in dollar amounts and percentages was found. The cities can be sorted to show the U.S. cities where the paychecks are growing the most from 2021 to 2022 and falling the most from 2021 to 2022. All data was up to date as of Feb. 27, 2024.

Photo Disclaimer: Please note photos are for representational purposes only. As a result, some of the photos might not reflect the locations listed in this article.