10 Indicators You’ve Climbed Beyond Middle Class

More than half of Americans fall into the middle class. It’s not the worst place to be, but many strive for more.

Growing beyond the middle class might seem difficult, but the reality is, it’s not. It does, however, take a bit of hard work and savviness. And there will be signs that you’re now changing socioeconomic classes.

In scouring through financial reports, we’ve found that these 10 indicators are a good sign you’re moving into upper-class territory.

1. Health Care Costs Don’t Concern You

One of the major concerns people in the lower and middle classes have is how they would pay for healthcare if they suffered an emergency. Approximately 25 million Americans were without insurance in 2023 and the middle class seems to have the most medical debt.

If you’re not worried about paying for medical care, then you’re likely climbing out of the middle-class category.

2. You Eat Out Often

Eating out can be costly, especially if you have a larger family. Even a meal out for two these days can set you back $50 or more.

If you visit restaurants or bring home takeout often, you may not be overly worried about breaking the budget. It’s likely you’re moving out of the middle class when you start enjoying dining out more.

3. You Take Financial Downturns With Ease

If you’re an investor and you see the market take a downturn, it can be cause for panic, especially if you’re surviving on a paycheck-to-paycheck basis. If you’re not worried about these dips in the market, you’re likely in a stable financial position.

The good news is the market nearly always corrects itself and those dips tend to be short-lived. Investing is a long game.

4. All Your Bills Are on Autopay

This is a pretty accurate representation of coming out of middle class, because utilities can vary from month to month. But if you have enough money in the bank and you live below your means, you’re confident in the fact that you have enough to cover those expenses.

People who are struggling will not put the bills on autopay because of concerns that they won’t have enough money for other expenses.

5. You Have No Debt

Debt is a killer when it comes to your income. The average American has more than $100,000 across mortgages and credit cards. Credit cards especially do some serious damage to a budget.

If you have no debt, or your debt isn’t impacting your day-to-day life, you’re already doing much better. Those in better financial standing tend to use their credit cards, but pay them off before the company charges interest.

6. You Have Multiple Income Streams

This is an important distinguishing factor between those who worry about money and those who don’t. It takes some time to set up multiple income streams that work, but once they’re up and running, they can bridge gaps and set you on a path to a new socioeconomic class.

If you want to create multiple income streams, find passive income opportunities, they will make you money without you having to do much.

7. Your Income Has Increased

If you’ve grown in your career to the point that your income is now above $130,000, congrats, that’s one factor that will help boost you out of the middle class. The trick is not to increase your costs of living just because you make more.

Instead, put more money away, so you can build up your savings, emergency fund, and retirement, though not necessarily in that order.

8. You Can Take More Time Off

Time off is a luxury many people can’t afford. In fact, you hear stories all the time about people getting fired for picking their sick kids up from school and how they are now in dire straits or how people put in for vacation time just to have their requests denied.

If you find that you’re enjoying more time off of work and you’re not worried about the financial implications of it, you’re in a good spot.

9. You Have Savings and an Emergency Fund

While both of these are means of savings, they have different purposes. Your emergency fund is to float through should you lose your job or suffer another type of emergency.

Your savings is money you put aside to do things with, such as take a vacation or purchase a large-ticket item. Approximately 27% of Americans have no savings and more than half have less than $500 in the bank. So, if you have both, you’re ahead of the game.

10. You Go on Vacation Without Worry

Many people can’t afford to go on vacation annually or have to budget very strictly to do so. Then, even when on vacation, they’re counting pennies.

If you can pick up and go on vacation at a moment’s notice without worry, chances are, you’re either well on your way out of middle class, or you’re already above it.