Middle Class Calculator India
Find out which economic class you belong to based on your household income, city, and family size. Are you lower middle class, middle class, or upper middle class?
Middle Class
Top 21.0%
You're in the top 21.0% of Indian households
Congratulations! You're part of India's true middle class.
Your Position in India's Income Pyramid
0%
50%
90%
99%
Per Capita Income
Rs 12,500
Households Earning Less
23.7 Cr
Households Earning More
6.3 Cr
Richer Than
110.6 Cr Indians
Economic Class Distribution in India
How You Compare
vs Median Household
1.6x higher
vs Metro City Avg
0.6x lower
vs Tier 2 City Avg
0.9x
vs Rural Avg
2.3x higher
Income Distribution Bell Curve
Class Distribution in India
How to Use the Middle Class Calculator
- Enter Your Monthly Household Income: Input the combined monthly income of all earning members in your household. Include salary, business income, and any regular sources.
- Select Your City Tier: Choose whether you live in a Tier 1 metro (Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Pune), Tier 2 city, Tier 3 city, or rural area. This affects the cost of living adjustment.
- Enter Family Size: The number of people in your household affects per capita income calculations.
- Add Rental Income (Optional): Toggle this option if you receive regular rental income from properties.
- Use Presets: Try the Rs 25K, Rs 50K, Rs 1L, Rs 2L, or Rs 5L presets to see how different income levels are classified.
Understanding Economic Classes in India
Economic class classification in India is based on monthly household income and varies by region. Here's how different income brackets are typically defined:
Income Class Breakdown (2024-2025)
- Below Poverty Line: Less than Rs 12,500/month - approximately 22% of India
- Lower Income: Rs 12,500 - Rs 25,000/month - approximately 29% of India
- Lower Middle Class: Rs 25,000 - Rs 50,000/month - approximately 28% of India
- Middle Class: Rs 50,000 - Rs 1,00,000/month - approximately 14% of India
- Upper Middle Class: Rs 1,00,000 - Rs 2,00,000/month - approximately 5% of India
- Affluent: Rs 2,00,000 - Rs 5,00,000/month - approximately 1.5% of India
- Rich / High Net Worth: Above Rs 5,00,000/month - approximately 0.5% of India
Why City Tier Matters
Cost of Living Adjustment: Rs 50,000 in Mumbai has different purchasing power than Rs 50,000 in Jaipur or a rural area. Our calculator adjusts for this using cost of living indices:
- Tier 1 (Metro): Baseline - highest cost of living
- Tier 2 Cities: ~25% lower cost of living
- Tier 3 Cities: ~40% lower cost of living
- Rural Areas: ~50% lower cost of living
What Does "Middle Class" Really Mean?
In India, the "middle class" is often misunderstood. Many who consider themselves middle class are actually in the upper middle class or even affluent category. True middle class (Rs 50K-1L/month household income) represents only about 14% of Indian households.
Key characteristics of India's middle class:
- Ability to afford comfortable housing and utilities
- Access to quality education for children
- Basic healthcare coverage
- Some discretionary spending on entertainment and travel
- Ability to save and invest a portion of income
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the middle class income in India?
In India, middle class typically refers to households earning between Rs 50,000 to Rs 1,00,000 per month. This represents approximately 14% of Indian households. Lower middle class earns Rs 25,000-50,000/month, while upper middle class earns Rs 1-2 lakh/month.
Am I middle class if I earn Rs 50,000 per month?
Yes, Rs 50,000 monthly household income puts you at the lower end of India's middle class. You're earning more than approximately 79% of Indian households. However, your effective class depends on your city - Rs 50K goes further in Tier 2/3 cities than in metros.
What income is considered upper middle class in India?
Upper middle class in India typically refers to households earning Rs 1,00,000 to Rs 2,00,000 per month (Rs 12-24 lakh annually). This represents only about 5% of Indian households and provides a comfortable lifestyle with good savings potential.
What income is considered rich in India?
Households earning above Rs 5,00,000 per month (Rs 60 lakh per year) are considered rich or high net worth in India. This puts you in the top 0.5% of Indian households. Affluent class starts at Rs 2-5 lakh per month.
Why does the calculator adjust for city tier?
Cost of living varies significantly across India. Rs 1 lakh in Mumbai provides a different lifestyle than Rs 1 lakh in Jaipur or a rural area. The calculator normalizes income to metro city equivalent to provide fair comparisons and accurate class placement.
How accurate is this calculator?
The calculator uses data from NSSO Consumer Expenditure Surveys, Income Tax Department reports, and RBI household income data. While individual circumstances vary, the percentile rankings and class distributions are based on 2024-2025 estimates for India's ~30 crore households.
Should I include my spouse's income?
Yes! This is a household income calculator. Include the combined income of all earning members living in your household - spouse, working children, etc. This gives the most accurate picture of your economic class.