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This comes entirely down to how you define "middle class" and IMHO it's far too broad of a group to make sweeping statements on what they can and cannot afford.
by kohanz 9y ago
This comes entirely down to how you define "middle class" and IMHO it's far too broad of a group to make sweeping statements on what they can and cannot afford. A family with 50k income total might be considered middle class and I doubt they would feel they could afford a $130 per person meal even once a year. A family with 200k income on the other hand might be just as you described. Both could easily consider themselves (or be considered by others) to be "middle class"
- jandrewrogers 9y agoThe number you are looking for is household discretionary income -- the money left over after taxes, housing, utilities, food, transportation, and other necessities are paid for. It is the money available for saving or spending on luxuries. The US average discretionary income per household: ~$21,000. That leaves plenty of room for a few $130/head meals. Despite income stagnation, the US middle class still has amazing amounts of discretionary income compared to the rest of the industrialized world.
- kohanz 9y agoCouple of points: (1) median would be more insightful in this context than average and (2) neither do a great job of describing a range of situations like the term "middle class" does. Your point could be changed to "a family with average discretionary income could afford a few $130 per plate meals", but again my point is it's difficult to sweep that across a term that is increasingly describing a very broad range of financial situations.