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

Would your current income place you within the top 20% — or even the top 5% — of the wealthiest earners in the Midwest? 

A recent GOBankingRates study utilized census data to break down the income level needed for placement among the top 20% and top 5% of incomes in every state. Those residing in the Midwest region need to earn a minimum of $132,000+ to be in the top 20% of their respective state.

Find out the minimum income you need for Midwest wealth.

• The minimum you need to make to be in the top 20%: $162,124
• Average income of the top 20%: $289,355
• Average income of the top 5%: $521,013

• The minimum you need to make to be in the top 20%: $132,444
• Average income of the top 20%: $226,387
• Average income of top 5%: $396,992

• The minimum you need to make to be in the top 20%: $136,582
• Average income of the top 20%: $231,690
• Average income of the top 5%: $405,907

• The minimum you need to make to be in the top 20%: $139,295
• Average income of the top 20%: $240,712
• Average income of the top 5%: $425,080

• The minimum you need to make to be in the top 20%: $139,438
• Average income of the top 20%: $240,130
• Average income of the top 5%: $419,606

• The minimum you need to make to be in the top 20%: $164,585
• Average income of the top 20%: $282,691
• Average income of the top 5%: $497,204

• The minimum you need to make to be in the top 20%: $133,864
• Average income of the top 20%: $234,836
• Average income of the top 5%: $420,563

• The minimum you need to make to be in the top 20%: $140,577
• Average income of the top 20%: $247,090
• Average income of the top 5%: $447,231

• The minimum you need to make to be in the top 20%: $143,797
• Average income of the top 20%: $246,410
• Average income of the top 5%: $437,736

• The minimum you need to make to be in the top 20%: $136,246
• Average income of the top 20%: $237,659
• Average income of the top 5%: $420,966

• The minimum you need to make to be in the top 20%: $133,630
• Average income of the top 20%: $230,785
• Average income of the top 5%: $414,593

• The minimum you need to make to be in the top 20%: $141,120
• Average income of the top 20%: $238,669
• Average income of the top 5%: $418,668

_{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.}