There is no single definition of the American middle class, but the Pew Research Center considers middle-income households to be those with two-thirds to double of an area's overall median household income.

Using this definition, SmartAsset calculated the income it takes to be middle class in 345 of the US's biggest cities, as well as in each state.

Across the cities analyzed, the median household income is $77,345, meaning the income of a middle-class household ranges between $51,558 and $154,590, on average.

There are six US cities, most of which are Californian, where households taking home over $300,000 are still considered middle class: Sunnyvale, California, at $339,562; Fremont, California ($324,672); San Mateo, California ($318,550); Santa Clara, California ($317,228); Bellevue, Washington ($307,558); and Highlands Ranch, Colorado ($304,076).

It takes the least money to be middle class in Detroit, whose median income of $36,453 is the lowest of any city studied. The lower limit for Detroit's middle-income households sits at just $25,000, while the upper limit is $72,906.

When it comes to states, New Jersey has the highest threshold, with residents needing to make between $64,224 and $192,692 to be among the city's middle class.

The lowest-earning middle-income households, on the other hand, are found in Mississippi, where people whose income falls between $35,142 and $105,438 are considered middle class.

Via SmartAsset.

[Image credit: Clay Banks]