Advertiser Disclosure

11 Midwest Cities Where the Upper-Middle Class Is Exploding

May 16, 2025

3 min Read

Written by Heather Taylor

Edited by Zuri Anderson

Commitment to Our Readers

GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services - our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our products and services review methodology.

20 YearsHelping You Live Richer

Reviewed by Experts

Trusted by Millions of Readers

The upper-middle class, and their wealth, are growing quickly across the Midwestern region of the United States. A recent GOBankingRates study ranking the top 50 cities for upper-middle class expansion revealed that 10 of these cities are based in the Midwest.

Keep reading to discover which 10 Midwestern cities have an increasing upper-middle class population.

1. Evansville, Indiana

Households earning $100K to $150K in 2018: 3,577
Households earning $100K to $150K in 2023: 6,378
Percentage change in high-earning households: 78.3%
Household median income: $52,251

2. Grand Rapids, Michigan

Households earning $100K to $150K in 2018: 8,158
Households earning $100K to $150K in 2023: 13,987
Percentage change in high-earning households: 71.5%
Household median income: $65,526

3. South Bend, Indiana

Households earning $100K to $150K in 2018: 3,182
Households earning $100K to $150K in 2023: 5,446
Percentage change in high-earning households: 71.2%
Household median income: $52,512

4. Davenport, Iowa

Households earning $100K to $150K in 2018: 4,489
Households earning $100K to $150K in 2023: 7,580
Percentage change in high-earning households: 68.9%
Household median income: $64,497

Today’s Top Offers

5. Detroit, Michigan

Households earning $100K to $150K in 2018: 13,759
Households earning $100K to $150K in 2023: 23,224
Percentage change in high-earning households: 68.8%
Household median income: $39,575

6. Kansas City, Kansas

Households earning $100K to $150K in 2018: 5,604
Households earning $100K to $150K in 2023: 9,251
Percentage change in high-earning households: 65.1%
Household median income: $59,183

7. Dayton, Ohio

Households earning $100K to $150K in 2018: 3,310
Households earning $100K to $150K in 2023: 5,450
Percentage change in high-earning households: 64.7%
Household median income: $43,454

8. Green Bay, Wisconsin

Households earning $100K to $150K in 2018: 4,376
Households earning $100K to $150K in 2023: 7,150
Percentage change in high-earning households: 63.4%
Household median income: $62,546

9. Akron, Ohio

Households earning $100K to $150K in 2018: 6,176
Households earning $100K to $150K in 2023: 10,091
Percentage change in high-earning households: 63.4%
Household median income: $48,544

10. Cleveland, Ohio

Households earning $100K to $150K in 2018: 9,315
Households earning $100K to $150K in 2023: 14,959
Percentage change in high-earning households: 60.6%
Household median income: $39,187

Methodology: For this study, GOBankingRates analyzed cities with at least 40,000 households, according to the U.S. Census American Community Survey, to find the cities where the upper-middle class has grown the most. Households that earn between $100,000 and $149,000 are considered upper-middle class. Using the American Community Survey, the total population, total households, household median income, households in 2018 that earned $100,000 to $149,000, and households in 2023 that earned $100,000 to $149,000 were all sourced. The percent change in upper-middle-class households was calculated and the cities were sorted to show the largest increase in upper-middle-class households. All data was collected on and is up to date as of Apr. 1, 2025.

More From GOBankingRates