The End of the Middle Class? 25 Things You’ll Struggle to Afford Soon

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Life is a constant balancing act of desires and budgets. Sometimes, there’s abundance; other times, every penny counts. For the middle class, this often means a tightrope walk between aspirations and financial realities.

In the next ten years, some luxuries that the middle class currently enjoys may become increasingly out of reach. What are these items? Let’s take a glimpse into the future and identify 25 things that might soon be too costly for the average household, along with their current and projected costs.

Table of Contents

1. Private Health Insurance

Private health insurance covers medical costs beyond what public healthcare offers. Currently, the average premium for a family is around $24,000 per year.

With rising healthcare costs outpacing inflation, this could soar to $35,000 per year in a decade. This trend will likely continue, making insurance premiums harder to manage for middle-class families.

Exploring alternative healthcare options, including government-sponsored plans, might become a necessity.

2. Higher Education Tuition Fees

A young woman in a plaid shirt is sitting in front of a computer, exploring online side hustles for college students.

Tuition rates for higher education are climbing, making it challenging for middle-class families to afford college.

Today, the average annual tuition for a four-year public university is about $11,000 for in-state students and $29,000 for out-of-state students. In ten years, these figures could rise to $15,000 and $38,000 respectively, based on historical annual increases in tuition of about 3-4%.

This issue is further complicated for families with multiple children planning to attend university. With grants and scholarships becoming scarcer, families may need to bear a larger share of the financial burden.

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3. Homeownership in Certain Areas

A suburban two-story house with gray siding and a triple garage, illuminated windows glowing under a twilight sky.

Home prices in high-demand neighborhoods are rising steadily. Currently, the median home price in these areas is around $420,000.

With continued demand and inflation, this could increase to $600,000 or more, projected using historical home price appreciation rates, which vary by location but average around 4-5%.

Changes in mortgage regulations and lending practices could further impact middle-class access to homeownership. Stricter lending requirements and higher interest rates make it more difficult for those with limited savings and less-than-perfect credit to own a home.

4. Premium Streaming and Subscription Services

Premium streaming services like Netflix and Disney+ cost around $15 per month each.

As more services emerge and prices increase, the monthly expense for multiple subscriptions could reach $100 or more in ten years, based on trends in subscription price increases of roughly 5-7% annually.

Middle-class families might have to forgo these luxuries, opting for fewer or alternative entertainment options.

5. Childcare Expenses

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We are lucky on this one. We both retired while our kids were 2 and under. So we are both full time parents. But if we both still worked, childcare would be tough to afford. It’s only getting more expensive.

Daycare centers, nannies, and babysitters are becoming more expensive, outpacing wage growth. The average cost for full-time daycare is currently about $10,000 per year.

This could rise to $15,000 annually, based on historical childcare cost increases of about 3-5% annually. This poses a significant challenge for middle-class families with young children.

As more parents enter the workforce, the demand for childcare services will rise, exacerbating the affordability issue.

6. Vacations Abroad

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Travel costs, including airfare and hotel rates, are increasing. Currently, a family vacation abroad might cost around $5,000.

With rising prices and additional fees, this could easily double to $10,000, projected using historical increases in travel costs of around 4-5% annually. Economic uncertainties and currency fluctuations further strain travel budgets.

This is one reason we prefer to travel within the states.

7. High-Speed Internet and Advanced Connectivity

High-speed internet and advanced connectivity options, like fiber-optic networks, come at a premium. Currently, a high-speed internet plan costs around $60 per month.

At least that was true a few weeks ago when I started writing this. In just the last few weeks it has gone up for a few providers! This is actually one that I would love to hear in the comments. We are shopping for someone to replace Spectrum at 300 to 500 mbs.

Based on trends in internet pricing and technological advancements of around 4-5% annually, this could rise to $100 per month pretty quickly. As remote work and online schooling continue to grow, the cost of maintaining high-speed internet access may become burdensome for middle-class families.

8. Home Renovations and Upgrades

How Tp Renovate On A Budget; Replacing Patio Door — Image Credit: ChaChingQueen

Home renovations enhance comfort and aesthetics but come with a hefty price tag. A typical kitchen remodel now costs around $25,000.

With rising material and labor costs, this could increase to $40,000, projected using historical increases in construction costs, materials, and labor of around 4-5% annually. Middle-class families might turn to DIY projects or seek financing options to manage these expenses.

9. Dining Out Frequently

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Eating out is a favorite way to enjoy good food and quality time with family. Currently, a family might spend around $100 per dinner dining out. Add that up with all the $25-40 breakfast and lunch take outs and it gets expensive.

This could rise to $500 or more as restaurant prices continue to climb, based on historical increases in restaurant prices of around 3-4% annually. This makes frequent dining out a significant expense that middle-class families may need to cut back on.

10. Regular Spa Treatment and Salon Services

A hair salon with a lot of chairs and mirrors.

Spa treatments offer a break from daily stresses, but their costs are rising. A typical massage or facial now costs about $100 per session. In ten years, these treatments could cost $150 or more, projected using historical price increases for personal care services of around 3-4% annually.

Massages, facials, and haircuts are becoming more expensive, making them a luxury rather than a regular indulgence for middle-class households. Families might prioritize essential expenses over self-care services.

11. Gym Memberships and Personal Trainers

Maintaining gym memberships and hiring personal trainers might become challenging for middle-class families. Currently, a gym membership costs about $50 per month, and personal training sessions cost $60 each.

These prices could rise to $75 and $100, respectively, based on historical increases in gym membership and personal trainer fees of around 3-5% annually.

Home workout apps or online fitness programs may become the go-to alternatives.

12. Expensive Electronics and Gadgets

Gadgets like laptops, gaming consoles, and smartphones are highly sought after.

A high-end smartphone now costs around $1,000. With new features and innovations, this could increase to $1,500, based on trends in consumer electronics pricing of around 4-5% annually.

Middle-class families may opt for mid-range models or refurbished devices to meet their technological needs.

13. Multiple Vehicles per Household

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Owning multiple vehicles offers convenience but comes with high costs. Currently, the average cost of a new car is about $40,000. In ten years, this could rise to $60,000 per vehicle, based on historical price increases for vehicles of around 3-4% annually.

Middle-class families might find it more practical to rely on a single vehicle.

14. Club Memberships

Country and private golf clubs offer social opportunities but come with rising fees. Membership fees now average around $10,000 per year.

These could increase to $15,000 or more, based on historical increases in membership fees of around 4-5% annually. Limited memberships and maintenance costs contribute to these increases.

Middle-class families might turn to alternative leisure activities such as cultural events and recreational sports leagues.

15. High-End Fashion and Designer Labels

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High-end fashion and designer labels are symbols of luxury and status. Currently, a designer handbag might cost $2,000. In ten years, such luxury items could cost $3,000 or more, based on historical price increases for luxury goods of around 3-4% annually.

As prices continue to rise, middle-class families may turn to budget-friendly brands, second-hand stores, or clothing rental services to stay stylish.

16. Organic and Specialty Groceries

A woman with curly hair and a headband smiles while holding a chalkboard sign that reads "Organic" in a grocery store. Green vegetables are visible in the foreground, and another person stands in the background, perhaps engaged in debunking myths about organic farming. — A woman with curly hair and a headband smiles while holding a chalkboard sign that reads “Organic” in a grocery store. Green vegetables are visible in the foreground, and another person stands in the background, perhaps engaged in debunking myths about organic farming.

The demand for organic and specialty foods is rising, but so are the costs associated with these products. Currently, a week’s worth of organic groceries for a family might cost $150.

This could increase to $250 in a decade, based on historical increases in food prices of around 3-4% annually. Middle-class families may find it harder to justify the expense of organic produce and specialty groceries, opting instead for more affordable conventional options.

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17. Luxury Cars

Luxury cars come with advanced technology and premium materials, making them expensive.

Today, the average luxury car costs about $60,000. In ten years, these prices could escalate to $90,000 or more, projected using historical price increases for luxury vehicles of about 3-4%.

The ongoing maintenance and upkeep of these vehicles also add to the cost. Middle-class households may find it increasingly difficult to justify the expense of owning a luxury car.

Owning an expensive car has never made sense to me. Especially if you factor in how many hours of your life you need to work (before taxes!) to afford it. You’re basically working a few hours a day just to drive yourself to work and home.

18. Private School Tuition

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Private schools often offer smaller class sizes and specialized programs, but tuition costs are rising. Currently, private school tuition averages $12,000 per year.

In ten years, this could increase to $20,000, based on historical increases in private school tuition of around 3-5% annually.

For middle-class families, affording private education for their children might become increasingly difficult, pushing them to consider public school alternatives.

19. Pet Care and Veterinary Services

Pet ownership comes with ongoing costs for food, grooming, and veterinary care. Currently, annual pet care costs average $1,500 per pet. This could rise to $2,500 per pet, based on historical increases in pet care costs of around 4-5% annually.

As these expenses rise, middle-class families may struggle to afford the same level of care for their pets, leading to difficult choices about pet ownership.

20. Recreational Activities and Sports Leagues

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Participation in recreational activities and sports leagues often involves fees for equipment, uniforms, and travel. Currently, these costs can average $1,000 per year per child. Our kids are all less than seven, and it’s costing us $100s per season per kid.

This could rise to $1,500, based on historical increases in costs for recreational activities of around 3-4% annually.

These costs are increasing, making it challenging for middle-class families to support their children’s involvement in multiple activities.

21. Home Automation and Smart Devices

Home automation systems and smart devices offer convenience and security but come with a high price tag. Currently, outfitting a home with smart devices might cost $2,000.

This could rise to $3,500, based on trends in consumer electronics pricing and adoption rates of around 4-5% annually. As these technologies become more advanced and widespread, the cost of outfitting a home with smart devices may be out of reach for middle-class households.

22. Premium Event Tickets

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Attending concerts, theater performances, and major sporting events is a popular way to enjoy leisure time, but ticket prices are rising. Currently, premium event tickets can cost $150 each.

This could rise to $250, based on historical increases in ticket prices of around 3-4% annually. Middle-class families may find it harder to justify the expense of attending these events regularly.

23. Personal Coaching and Tutoring Services

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Hiring personal coaches for professional development or tutors for academic support can be beneficial but costly. Currently, these services can cost $50 per hour.

This could rise to $75 per hour, based on historical increases in personal coaching and tutoring fees of around 4-5% annually.

As the demand for personalized services increases, so do the fees, making it challenging for middle-class families to afford these extras.

This can also be an opportunity: Teaching English as a Second Language: A Lucrative Side Hustle

25. Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Products

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Sustainable and eco-friendly products, such as solar panels and energy-efficient appliances, often come with a higher initial cost. Currently, a solar panel system might cost $20,000.

This could rise to $30,000, based on trends in sustainable product pricing and adoption rates of around 4-5% annually.

While these investments can save money in the long run, the upfront expense may be prohibitive for middle-class families.

25. High-Quality Home Furnishings

Investing in high-quality furniture and home decor can enhance comfort and aesthetics but can be expensive. Currently, a high-quality sofa might cost $1,500.

In ten years, this could increase to $2,500, based on historical increases in furniture and home decor prices of around 3-4% annually. As the cost of materials and craftsmanship increases, middle-class families may need to opt for more budget-friendly furnishing options.