For years, making $100,000 a year was seen as a sign that you had reached a comfortable place financially. Six figures sounded like the kind of income that could cover the bills, allow you to save, and leave a little extra for the things you enjoy.

That idea doesn’t always hold up anymore.

New data from MoneyLion shows that in some parts of the country, a household earning $100,000 can still fall into the lower-middle-class income range. The list includes 12 states, many of which have some of the highest living costs in the country.

Where $100K Still Falls Short

Massachusetts ranks at the top of the list. According to the analysis, the upper income limit for the lower-middle-class range there is $116,476. That means a household bringing in $100,000 would still fall below that threshold.

New Jersey, Maryland, Hawaii, and California also make the list. These states have high housing costs and expensive everyday necessities, which can make a six-figure income feel much smaller after the monthly bills are paid.

The remaining states are New Hampshire, Washington, Colorado, Utah, Connecticut, Alaska, and Virginia.

A $100,000 income can look impressive on paper, but the amount of money left after paying for housing, groceries, transportation, insurance, healthcare, and other expenses can vary widely depending on where you live.

Why $100,000 Doesn’t Go as Far Anymore

Your salary is only part of the financial picture.

In an expensive area, housing alone can take up a large portion of a household’s income. Add groceries, utilities, car payments, insurance, healthcare, and other regular expenses, and there may not be much left for savings or unexpected costs.

Hawaii offers one of the clearest examples from the MoneyLion analysis. The estimated annual cost of basic necessities is just over $99,000, which is almost the entire amount of a $100,000 salary.

That leaves very little room for retirement contributions, emergency savings, travel, home repairs, or other expenses that can come up during the year.

Housing is another major factor. In areas where home prices and rents are high, a household earning $100,000 can find itself spending a large portion of its income simply to keep a roof over its head.

MoneyLion’s analysis shows just how much location can change the picture.

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The Middle Class Looks Different From State to State

There isn’t one income number that automatically makes someone middle class everywhere in the country.

The Pew Research Center defines middle-income households as those earning between two-thirds and twice the median household income, with adjustments for household size and local costs. That means the income range can look very different depending on where a household lives.

You can read more about how Pew Research Center defines the middle class and check its income calculator here.

Several of the states on MoneyLion’s list have median household incomes around or above $100,000. When the median income is higher, the income range used to identify middle-class households also moves higher.

Household size matters, too. Someone earning $100,000 and living alone may have a very different financial situation from a family of four earning the same amount.

Six Figures Can Still Feel Tight

For many people, $100,000 is still a very good salary. The issue is that the number doesn’t tell you how much money a household actually has available after paying its bills.

Someone earning $100,000 in a relatively affordable area may have money left over each month for savings and other goals. A household with the same income in a high-cost state could be spending much more on housing and everyday necessities.

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That helps explain why six figures can feel very different from one household to another.

The idea that $100,000 automatically means financial comfort is becoming harder to apply across the country. In some states, a six-figure household income can still leave families watching their budgets closely and thinking twice about major purchases.

The paycheck may say $100,000, but what matters at the end of the month is how much is left after everything else has been paid.