Can we agree on what "mid 6 figures" means?

[4speedy]

There have been a lot of discussions lately about "6 figures," whether it's HHI, bonuses, mortgages, SLs, house values, etc. I see people mention they make "mid 6 figures" or have a mortgage in the "mid 6 figures" but then in the context of the post, it seems they mean $140,000-160,000. As someone who is extremely literal, I always think of mid 6 figures as being $400,000-$600,000. But I also get that 99% of the population makes less then $200k, so a "six figure income" for the vast majority of people would be somewhere in the $100,000s. Mid 6 figures seems like valid shorthand for 140k-160k since that is probably what the majority of us mean.

So for conversation purposes, what do you mean when you say mid 6 figures, the literal definition or the common shorthand?

[ECB]

I'm literal like you, but as I also realize that MOST people don't make that much $$, I also realize that it's usually your shorthand description.

[w2w]

I think it is $400k-$600k, but it does seem like a lot of people use it incorrectly and mean it to be mid $100ks.

[aspentosh]

I take it the same way you do (literally).

ETA: We make in the $100k's and I would never say "mid 6 figures". Ha.

[Deleted]

When someone tells me they make six figures I assume they make under $200k, just because a large part of the population makes under $200k. When someone says they make mid six figures I assume they make closer to $500k.

[Deleted]

Mid 6 figures is $400,000-$600,000

$140,000-160,000 is (very) low 6 figures. It would be bizarre to mean that in saying "mid 6 figures."

ETA: considerably more than 1% of the population makes more than $200,000 (household income at least)

[littlemermaid]

"mid 6 figures" to me means somewhere around $500,000.

[SJ]

Dec 11, 2012 9:37:05 GMT -5 @w2w said:

I think it is $400k-$600k, but it does seem like a lot of people use it incorrectly and mean it to be mid $100ks.

I agree.

[rosetyler]

Dec 11, 2012 9:42:08 GMT -5 @vicmo said:

It reminds me of when my ditzy cousin turned 20 and said she was "finally" in double digits.

Wow.

[aspentosh]

Dec 11, 2012 9:42:08 GMT -5 @vicmo said:

I'd rather have a campaign to eliminate the use of "mid six figures", as opposed to agreeing on a standard definition. Since, mathematically speaking, 150K is in no way equal to mid six figures.

It reminds me of when my ditzy cousin turned 20 and said she was "finally" in double digits.

:-| :-| :-| :-| :-|

[Deleted]

People use the phrase "mid-six figures" referring to $150K? Wow. That would more accurately be "mid-100s."

[raangoli]

Dec 11, 2012 9:37:05 GMT -5 @w2w said:

I think it is $400k-$600k, but it does seem like a lot of people use it incorrectly and mean it to be mid $100ks.

I agree with this but for some reason when I read the posts from people, I kind of assumed they meant it to be mid $100k...

[shopgirl07]

Yeah, mid 6 figures means $400-$600Kish.

Someone posted the other day that their household income was mid 6 figures and based on the other things they were saying, they definitely meant $150Kish.

[Deleted]

Dec 11, 2012 9:42:08 GMT -5 @vicmo said:

It reminds me of when my ditzy cousin turned 20 and said she was "finally" in double digits.

10 dolla makes me holla!

[Deleted]

Dec 11, 2012 9:54:53 GMT -5 shopgirl07 said:

Someone posted the other day that their household income was mid 6 figures and based on the other things they were saying, they definitely meant $150Kish.

Yeah. That's how I've interpreted some posts because the other info in the post doesn't make sense for a $400-600k HHI.

[Deleted]

Dec 11, 2012 9:39:56 GMT -5 v said:

Mid 6 figures is $400,000-$600,000

$140,000-160,000 is (very) low 6 figures. It would be bizarre to mean that in saying "mid 6 figures."

ETA: considerably more than 1% of the population makes more than $200,000 (household income at least)

I agree with this.

[h]

Mid-six figures is somewhere in the ballpark of $400-500k. We can debate whether $375k or $650k is mid-six figures, but I don't see how whether $150k is mid-six figures is really a point of debate. It's just not.

That said, I read one post this week where a person mentioned a HHI of mid-six figures when I am pretty sure they meant mid $100s.

[carfar]

Hummm...I agree with your logic, and for some reason I would assume 140-160k for income ( not that this is correct but 400-600k for mortgage. I guess this is partially because there is not really much of anything below this price in my area as far as homes.

It should be 400-600 for anything.

[Susie]

Dec 11, 2012 9:39:56 GMT -5 v said:

Mid 6 figures is $400,000-$600,000

$140,000-160,000 is (very) low 6 figures. It would be bizarre to mean that in saying "mid 6 figures."

+1

[Velvetshady]

I doubt it.

[Deleted]

I agree with your interpretation. I think I've used it here meaning 150ish, due to a brain fart. But it is obvious from the context of those posts what was meant so I don't see why it matters.

[wanderlustfoodie]

Dec 11, 2012 10:05:45 GMT -5 Susie said:

Dec 11, 2012 9:39:56 GMT -5 v said:

Mid 6 figures is $400,000-$600,000

$140,000-160,000 is (very) low 6 figures. It would be bizarre to mean that in saying "mid 6 figures."

+1

Agree

[Deleted]

When I hear people say that they mean 300-600k. Literally mid six figures.

[Deleted]

Dec 11, 2012 9:39:56 GMT -5 v said:

ETA: considerably more than 1% of the population makes more than $200,000 (household income at least)

Yes. According to the nyt, the 1% *starts* at 500k+.

[Deleted]

When I hear mid-6 figures I assume over 300k but less than 600k.

[Deleted]

I would assume $300-$700k; but yes, agree.

I'm not really sure everyone is all that coy about money anyway--especially on an anonymous message board.

[ESF]

Dec 11, 2012 10:54:38 GMT -5 @gingersb said:

I agree with your interpretation. I think I've used it here meaning 150ish, due to a brain fart. But it is obvious from the context of those posts what was meant so I don't see why it matters.

I agree. I've rarely been confused by what someone means when they say they earn mid six figures or their mortgage is mid six figures because there's usually some other context there. So while it's not the right phrase to use if the amount is around $150k, it's just not something that annoys me. there are far greater syntax and grammar sins on this board.

[M]

Mid 6 figures = $400-600k to me too.

[phunluvin82]

Dec 11, 2012 9:44:09 GMT -5 aspentosh said:

Dec 11, 2012 9:42:08 GMT -5 @vicmo said:

I'd rather have a campaign to eliminate the use of "mid six figures", as opposed to agreeing on a standard definition. Since, mathematically speaking, 150K is in no way equal to mid six figures.

It reminds me of when my ditzy cousin turned 20 and said she was "finally" in double digits.

LOL...this makes me think of when Jessica Simpson said on her reality show that she was turning "23, which is almost 25, which is almost mid 20's!"

[thatgirl]

Dec 11, 2012 13:12:11 GMT -5 M said:

Mid 6 figures = $400-600k to me too.

I am in this camp.