Challenges of Achieving Middle-Class Status

The growing difficulty of attaining middle-class lifestyles for younger generations is a focal point of discussion. This issue particularly affects Gen Z, who face significant obstacles compared to previous generations like Boomers and Gen X. A life difficulty index illustrates how the costs of housing, transportation, and essential life needs have increasingly outpaced income levels over the years. For instance, the cost of a starter life has escalated from 3.64 times the median income in 2000 to 5.14 times by 2024, highlighting the financial strain on new graduates and young professionals.