Is it wrong to date a guy who makes so much less than you?

I grew up in a nice town in Connecticut, went to a private school & university, and found a job right after college and I always dated guys from my college, all with well paying jobs, they've worked for ESPN or WWE, but they were lying, cheating, a**holes.

For the first time in my life, I have a great boyfriend, he's there whenever I need him & it's been the easiest and happiest 6 months. But he's a poor guy, from a bad part of Philadelphia, and just moved up here a year ago and lives with 11 people in a tiny apartment in New Haven where he sleeps on a couch.

I don't want to be shallow but it's so different dating someone who doesn't fit in with any of my friends or family. I've had to lie to some family and friends about his job, him not having a car, all sorts of things just because I know the comments they would make about him and also because he's a different race and I don't want them to just label him as a ghetto guy when he's so great and has so much wisdom.

My mom and best friends know the truth but sometimes they almost make it seem like it's a self esteem problem, that I'm dating so beneath me when I deserve someone who went to school and works hard. Or that I'm wasting money driving him everywhere, or if I help him with anything, but to me, I'm driving where I want to go & it's just nice to have someone with me all the time.

Is it okay to date someone so beneath you, if they are a good person? Or am I setting myself on later on where I will regret working so hard while I date someone who barely works. It's only been 6 months so it's still not that serious, I just want to get a better idea of the future. Is it okay for me to continue with him, because I am financially independent and I am fine with or without him, or do I need to date someone equal.