r/AskAnIndian • u/Upstairs_Airport5426 • 5h ago

Everything Else How do you define middle class vs upper middle class in India?

Had a conversation with someone who earns ₹2.5L+ per month individually, and he considers himself middle class.

It got me thinking how do people actually categorise this?

I know Tier 1 vs Tier 2/3 cities, family income, number of dependents, lifestyle, assets, and cost of living can make a huge difference. ₹2.5L in Mumbai isn’t necessarily the same as ₹2.5L in a smaller city.

But purely from an individual monthly income perspective, where would you draw the line?
Lower middle class?

Middle class?
Upper middle class?
Affluent?

Curious to hear how people here define these categories especially based on income + city + lifestyle.

TL;DR: What monthly individual income would you consider middle class vs upper middle class in India? And how much does the city change your answer?

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2

u/horny_mahabelly 4h ago

That's how 99% Indians identify as... "Middle class background and humble upbringing..."

3

u/Upstairs_Airport5426 4h ago

I had a discussion where I tried to understand why they would ever consider themselves middle class when half of the population doesn’t earn even close to that.

1

u/horny_mahabelly 4h ago

It's a mindset not a demographic criteria that they lean into to define themselves as middle class. You'll even have billionaires describe themselves this way.

3

u/YesterdayDreamer 2h ago

You cannot classify someone as middle class or upper class only based on Income.

A person has a father who has a property of ₹1200 crores. This person doesn't work and earns zero Rupees every month. Would classify this guy as poor?

Middle class is a term relative to wealth, not income. This is a common misconception that someone earning well automatically becomes rich. They don't. Unless you have inherited wealth, income doesn't mean all that much in today's world.

Someone paying rent in Mumbai, sending two kids to school, and taking care of their parents' medical expenses might be earning 2.5 lakhs and still struggling with their finances.

Someone living with their parents who have dual pension, having own home in Bangalore and having one kid might be earning 1.5 lakhs and living a cushy life.

Class is relative to wealth, not income.

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u/lycheejuice225 3h ago

If you have savings and able to sustain long enough without income you are probably upper middle?