Where Do You Stand? Income Percentile in New York
2024 household income distribution — see how your income compares
Median Income
$86,768
50th percentile
Top 25%
$168,882
75th percentile cutoff
Top 10%
$260,574
90th percentile cutoff
Top 1%
$706,228
99th percentile cutoff
The median household income in New York is $86,768, 3.8% above the national median of $83,592.
New York Income Percentile Cutoffs (2024)
Each row shows the minimum household income needed to be in that percentile or above. For example, earning more than $87k puts you above 50% of New York households.
| Percentile | Minimum Income | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $16,600 | Earns more than 10% of households |
| 20th | $32,200 | Earns more than 20% of households |
| 25th | $40,000 | Earns more than 25% of households |
| 30th | $49,400 | Below-median income |
| 40th | $68,100 | Below-median income |
| 50th (Median) | $86,800 | Below-median income |
| 60th | $119,600 | Above-median income |
| 70th | $152,500 | Above-median income |
| 75th | $168,900 | Above-median income |
| 80th | $199,400 | Upper-middle income |
| 90th | $260,600 | Upper-middle income |
| 95th | $348,300 | High income |
| 99th | $706,228 | Top 1% of earners |
Source: DQYDJ / IPUMS CPS 2024. Household income includes all earners in the household.
Median Income by Age Group — New York
Income typically peaks in the 45–54 age range, reflecting career progression and peak earning years. Estimates scaled from Census ACS 2023 data.
| Age Group | Median Household Income | vs. State Median |
|---|---|---|
| Under 25 | $39,000 | -55.1% |
| 25–34 | $74,000 | -14.7% |
| 35–44 | $97,000 | +11.8% |
| 45–54 | $102,000 | +17.6% |
| 55–64 | $92,000 | +6.0% |
| 65+ | $62,000 | -28.5% |
What It Means to Be Middle Class in New York
Using the Pew Research Center definition — households earning between 67% and 200% of the state median — the middle class income range in New York runs from $58,135 to $173,536 per year.
Lower Middle Class
$58k
67% of median
State Median
$87k
50th percentile
Upper Middle Class
$174k
200% of median
Cost of living significantly affects what it "feels like" to be middle class. A $87k income in New York has different purchasing power than the same income in another state.
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Compare to Similar States
Curious about New York taxes? See the New York 2025 tax brackets to understand how much of your income goes to state taxes at each income level.
Frequently Asked Questions — Income Percentile in New York
What is the median household income in New York?
The median household income in New York is $86,768 as of 2024, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS). This means half of all households earn more and half earn less than this figure. The national median for comparison is $83,592.
What income puts you in the top 10% in New York?
To be in the top 10% of earners in New York, a household needs to earn at least $260,574 per year. The top 5% threshold is approximately $348,325, and the top 1% begins at $706,228.
What counts as middle class in New York?
Using the Pew Research Center's definition (67%–200% of the median income), the middle-class range in New York is roughly $58,135 to $173,536 per year for a household. Households below this range are lower income; above it are upper income.
Where does this income data come from?
All income percentile data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), 2024 1-Year Estimates. The ACS surveys approximately 3.5 million households annually and is the most comprehensive source of state-level income distribution data. CalcFi updates this data annually following each ACS release.
Data source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 2024 1-Year Estimates, Table B19001. Percentile calculations are approximate. Last updated: March 2025.