Median Household Income is a key economic metric that represents the middle point of the income distribution in an area.
Why Median, Not Average?
The median is preferred over the mean (average) because income distributions are heavily skewed by high earners. A few billionaires can dramatically raise the average while not affecting the median.
National Benchmark
The US national median household income is approximately $74,580 (2023 Census data).
How Livably Uses This
We compare median income against cost of living to calculate affordability scores. A city with a high cost index but an even higher income may be more affordable in practice than a cheap city with very low wages.
Related Metrics
- Per Capita Income — Total income divided by total population (includes non-workers)
- Mean Household Income — Average of all household incomes
- Median Individual Income — Income for individuals, not households
Practical Use for Moves
When comparing cities, median income works best when paired with rent and tax data. A city with a lower salary can still feel more livable if housing and taxes are significantly cheaper.