Cover Your Bases. Expanding your living space by adding a deck is a great American tradition. Whether you plan to do it yourself or hire a pro, the key to success is factoring in all the critical design issues, picking the right material for your budget, climate, and lifestyle, and building a structure that will stand the test of time.
Your size-adjusted household income and the cost of living in your area are the factors we use to determine your income tier. Middle-income households â those with an income that is two-thirds to double the U.S. median household income â had incomes ranging from about $42,000 to $125,000 in 2014.
Crunching the numbers, a new study by Pew Charitable Trusts has revealed the exact salary you need to qualify in each state. Maryland's middle class is the highest paid in the country, with an average income of $72,483. Alaska is second with $72,237, followed by New Jersey with $70,165. The top five is completed by Hawaii and the District of Columbia, where middle class citizens are paid an average higher than $67,500. With an average income of $37,963, Mississippi's middle class is the lowest paid in the country. It is followed by Arkansas with $40,511, West Virginia with $41,253, Alabama with $42,849, and Kentucky with $43,399. New York-home to the financial capital of the United States, New York City-falls 17th in the table.