Neutral Descriptions:
* Middle-class: This is the most straightforward and common term.
* Average: Suggests typical or commonplace income and lifestyle.
* Modest: Implies a comfortable but not extravagant lifestyle.
* Comfortable: Suggests a level of financial security and ease.
* Working class (with nuance): While often distinct, some consider a "working middle class" to exist – those working in skilled trades or white-collar jobs with a comfortable income.
Positive Connotations:
* Aspirational: Suggests striving for upward mobility.
* Stable: Implies financial security and consistency.
* Secure: Similar to stable, focusing on a sense of safety and well-being.
* Prosperous: Suggests a good level of wealth and success. (Note: This might be more appropriate for the *upper* middle class).
* Thrifty: Suggests careful management of finances.
Negative Connotations (or potentially negative depending on context):
* Strained: Implies financial difficulties or pressures.
* Squeezed: Similar to strained, highlighting the pressure of rising costs.
* Precarious: Suggests a lack of financial security and vulnerability to economic shocks.
* Working hard but getting nowhere: Implies a feeling of stagnation despite efforts.
* Stuck in the middle: Highlights the challenges of not being wealthy but also not receiving the support for lower-income individuals.
More nuanced descriptors:
* Suburban: Often associated with a middle-class lifestyle in many countries.
* Homeowner: Owning a home is a common aspiration and marker of middle-class status.
* Educated: A higher level of education is often correlated with higher middle-class status.
* Professional: Many middle-class individuals hold professional jobs.
The best word or phrase will depend on the specific context and the point you are trying to make. Avoid using overly judgmental or stereotypical language.