Imagine you’re living that life when you can look around and see a big house, fat savings account and even the absence of panic when you make a splurge or two. Historically, this is what middle class looks like in America. These days? It feels like the benchmark for upper class.

However, in 2026, the definition of the upper class might look a little different, especially when filtered through the lens of different generations. Wildly different housing markets, debt levels and cost‑of‑living pressures don’t help either. READ MORE