Interesting information when considering what it takes to keep up with Joneses. Of course, I am sure there are wide regional disparities, because $33,000 does not go as far in California as it would go in other states.
http://content.kiplinger.com/features/archives/how-your-income-stacks-up.html<
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More than 40 million Americans are officially living in poverty. And you might be surprised at how little income it takes to not be considered poor by the federal government. For 2008, the poverty threshold for a single person under age 65 was an income of $11,201, or less than $1,000 a month. For a family of four, the threshold was $21,834. For a family of six, $28,769.
With that perspective, you may wonder just how your income stacks up against that of your fellow citizens. New statistics from the IRS provide an answer. The numbers here come from an analysis of 2007 tax returns, the most recent ones that have been studied.
The data show that an income of $32,879 or more puts you in the top half of taxpayers. Earning a bit more than twice that much -- $66,532 -- earns you a spot among the top 25% of all earners. You crack the elite top 10% if you earn more than $113,018.
And $410,096 buys top bragging rights: Earn that much or more and you're among the top 1% of all American earners.