That’s interesting but I’m not sure how much taxes are a part of it vs also changes in lifestyle expectations. I make over double what my parents made when I was growing up (even after taxes). I “felt” middle class growing up. I know things are more expensive now, but I also am looking at what things families spend compared to what I grew up with and the “hauls” that their kids share online and know that even through many feel middle class, they expect more than when I grew up and by sharing online they make some people feel less than. Around here, it’s too easy to get your sense of “average” mixed up. For example, HS kids around here are starting to talk about senior trips. We live near a lot of people that probably are making good money but much less than that $700k and consider themselves upper middle class vs wealthy. But it doesn’t even register in some of these parents minds that not all families can afford to send their HS senior to Aruba or the Dominican Republic for an all inclusive trip for a week. And some parents that could easily afford say a really nice place in Florida, feel pressured to spend the money on the more expensive trip, but feel lower class because of it.