Ohio Among Best States For Middle Class

CLEVELAND — A new ranking looks to sort the states that are best at creating and supporting middle-class families. To no one's surprise, the Midwest region boasts the most states in the upper echelon of the rankings. Ohio clocked in at No. 13 overall.

According to a new list from the financial technology company SmartAsset, six of the top 10 best states for the middle class are in the Midwest region. The company ranked each state for how favorable it is toward middle-class families.

Ohio ranked 13th on the list. According to SmartAsset’s data, 44.7 percent of households in Ohio are middle class, and the median household income when adjusted for cost of living is $62,115.

Neighboring states ranged in performance on the list. Michigan came in at No. 19 (in a tie with Georgia), Indiana was No. 5, Kentucky was No. 22, and Pennsylvania was No. 33. Of Ohio's neighbors, West Virginia performed the worst, clocking in at No. 37.

For the purposes of its list, SmartAsset defined middle class as households earning between $35,000 and $100,000. The data used in its report came from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. (You can read SmartAsset’s full methodology)

According to SmartAsset, the 10 best states for the middle class are:

1. Utah
2. Idaho
3. Iowa
4. Nebraska
5. Indiana
6. South Dakota
7. Vermont
8. Montana
9. Wisconsin
10. Minnesota

Read the full SmartAsset report.