Here’s How Much You Need To Earn To Be ‘Rich’ in the South

The cost of living varies across the United States, and the concept of being “rich” is defined differently based on where you live.

GOBankingRates used census data to determine what it takes to be rich in every state. In the South, you can be rich on a salary of as little as $340,000 or as much as $540,000.

Check out how much money you need to be “rich” in the South.

• The minimum you need to make to be in the top 20%: $126,786
• Average income of the top 20%: $219,518
• Average income of the top 5%: $384,048

• The minimum you need to make to be in the top 20%: $117,425
• Average income of the top 20%: $212,270
• Average income of the top 5%: $385,873

• The minimum you need to make to be in the top 20%: $157,599
• Average income of the top 20%: $266,218
• Average income of the top 5%: $463,843

• The minimum you need to make to be in the top 20%: $141,755
• Average income of the top 20%: $266,051
• Average income of the top 5%: $499,610

• The minimum you need to make to be in the top 20%: $148,795
• Average income of the top 20%: $264,953
• Average income of the top 5%: $472,175

• The minimum you need to make to be in the top 20%: $123,991
• Average income of the top 20%: $219,022
• Average income of the top 5%: $395,106

• The minimum you need to make to be in the top 20%: $127,473
• Average income of the top 20%: $223,489
• Average income of the top 5%: $394,301

• The minimum you need to make to be in the top 20%: $195,516
• Average income of the top 20%: $327,400
• Average income of the top 5%: $554,828

• The minimum you need to make to be in the top 20%: $113,688
• Average income of the top 20%: $197,470
• Average income of the top 5%: $346,882

• The minimum you need to make to be in the top 20%: $139,072
• Average income of the top 20%: $249,042
• Average income of the top 5%: $446,248

• The minimum you need to make to be in the top 20%: $125,328
• Average income of the top 20%: $219,134
• Average income of the top 5%: $389,979

• The minimum you need to make to be in the top 20%: $132,847
• Average income of the top 20%: $237,160
• Average income of the top 5%: $428,094

• The minimum you need to make to be in the top 20%: $132,078
• Average income of the top 20%: $238,504
• Average income of the top 5%: $435,202

• The minimum you need to make to be in the top 20%: $153,315
• Average income of the top 20%: $272,904
• Average income of the top 5%: $487,366

• The minimum you need to make to be in the top 20%: $182,550
• Average income of the top 20%: $316,724
• Average income of the top 5%: $547,015

• The minimum you need to make to be in the top 20%: $116,599
• Average income of the top 20%: $197,286
• Average income of the top 5%: $340,667

Methodology: GOBankingRates used the United States Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey income quintile data to find each state’s (1) lowest income to be considered in the top 20% income bracket; (2) the average income of the richest 20% and (3) the average income of the richest 5%. All data was collected on and is up to date as of Feb. 3, 2025.