Earning $100,000 annually may seem substantial, but for residents in 15 major cities across the United States, it falls short of elevating them beyond the lower middle class, according to a recent study by GOBankingRates.

Arlington, Virginia, emerged as the city with the highest income threshold to escape the lower middle class, requiring individuals to earn between $91,591 and $152,652. San Francisco and San Jose in California secured the second and third spots, with income caps for the lower middle class set at $151,877 and $151,122, respectively.

Financial advisers highlight the impact of high living costs in these cities, attributing the challenge to factors such as housing, transportation, healthcare, education, and overall lifestyle. Northwestern Mutual financial adviser Rodney Griffin noted that while $150,000 may be considered a comfortable salary in certain areas, increased demand and competition can drive up the cost of living.

Jersey City, New Jersey, emerged as the U.S. city where a $100,000 annual income would come closest to lifting individuals out of the lower middle class, requiring $101,279. Chesapeake, Virginia, followed closely behind with a lower middle class cap at $103,003.

Other cities where a $100,000 income would not surpass the lower middle class include Irvine, San Diego, and Oakland in California, Seattle in Washington state, Gilbert, Chandler, and Scottsdale in Arizona, Plano in Texas, Washington, D.C., and Anchorage, Arkansas. Notably, six of these major cities are in California, while two are in Virginia.

The study sheds light on the financial challenges faced by residents in these metropolitan areas, where the cost of living continues to outpace income levels. As economic factors, such as increasing mortgage rates, impact housing affordability, individuals in these cities find themselves grappling with the constraints of the lower middle class despite earning a six-figure income.