How The American Dream Became Unaffordable For Americans

How The American Dream Became Unaffordable For The Middle Class

In the U.S., a salary between $75,000 and $100,000 is often seen as middle class. Yet, with a 2023 average annual wage of $59,384, many Americans struggle as living costs outpace wages. From 1979 to 2024, productivity rose by 80.9%, but wages grew only 29.4%, widening the gap.

Rising housing prices, high unemployment, and reduced geographic mobility limit wage growth, while union decline and globalization pressure wages downward. Economic policies and high licensing requirements further constrain income growth. To support middle-income families, public policies must aim to distribute economic benefits more equitably across American households.

CHAPTERS:
0:00 Unaffordable American Dream
0:57 Wage & Living Costs Gap
2:23 Geographic Mobility
4:32 Globalization & Middle-Class
5:58 Politics & Economy

Produced by: Samantha Harvey
Edited by: Jacob Smith
Animation: Charlotte Brown
Additional Footage: Getty Images

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