Average Net Worth by Age in America: The Complete Data
How does your net worth compare to other Americans your age? This page compiles the most comprehensive net worth benchmarks available, sourced from the Federal Reserve's 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances (the most recent release, published October 2023) and supplemented with the Federal Reserve's quarterly Distributional Financial Accounts through Q3 2025.
The 2025 Survey of Consumer Finances is currently underway, with results expected in late 2026. Until that data is released, the figures below represent the best available snapshot of American household wealth.
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Use the Net Worth CalculatorMedian and Average Net Worth by Age Group
The table below shows median and mean (average) household net worth by the age of the household reference person, from the Federal Reserve's 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances.
| Age Group | Median Net Worth | Average Net Worth | Change from 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 35 | $39,000 | $183,500 | +143% |
| 35-44 | $135,600 | $549,600 | +37% |
| 45-54 | $247,200 | $975,800 | +18% |
| 55-64 | $364,500 | $1,566,900 | +27% |
| 65-74 | $409,900 | $1,794,600 | +18% |
| 75+ | $335,600 | $1,624,100 | +22% |
| All Ages | $192,900 | $1,059,470 | +37% |
Why the Median Matters More Than the Average
The gap between median and average net worth is striking at every age. For Americans under 35, the average ($183,500) is nearly five times the median ($39,000). For those aged 55-64, the average ($1,566,900) is over four times the median ($364,500). This gap exists because a relatively small number of very wealthy households pull the average dramatically upward.
The median tells you where the household in the exact middle stands: half of Americans in your age group have more, half have less. For most people, the median is the more useful benchmark. If your net worth is above the median for your age group, you are doing better than at least half of your peers.
Net Worth Percentiles by Age
For a more granular picture, here are the approximate net worth percentile thresholds by age group. These figures are derived from the 2022 SCF microdata.
| Age Group | 25th Percentile | 50th (Median) | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 35 | $1,900 | $39,000 | $137,000 | $404,000 |
| 35-44 | $16,600 | $135,600 | $436,000 | $1,080,000 |
| 45-54 | $24,800 | $247,200 | $727,000 | $1,800,000 |
| 55-64 | $42,500 | $364,500 | $1,058,000 | $2,950,000 |
| 65-74 | $66,400 | $409,900 | $1,190,000 | $3,200,000 |
| 75+ | $64,100 | $335,600 | $1,000,000 | $2,700,000 |
Some things stand out in this data. At the 25th percentile, even households in their 40s and 50s have remarkably little net worth, under $25,000. This means one in four American households at peak earning age has almost no financial cushion. Meanwhile, the jump from the 75th to the 90th percentile is often larger than the jump from the 25th to the 75th, illustrating how wealth accelerates at higher levels.
To see where you fall, calculate your net worth with the Net Worth Calculator and compare against your age group in the table above.
The 2019 to 2022 Surge
From 2019 to 2022, median household net worth surged 37% (inflation-adjusted), the largest three-year increase since the Survey of Consumer Finances began in 1983. The gains were especially dramatic for younger households: median net worth for those under 35 jumped 143%, from roughly $13,900 to $39,000.
Several factors drove this surge. Home values rose sharply during the pandemic era, and homeownership is the primary wealth-building asset for most Americans. Stock markets also reached record highs, boosting retirement account balances. Government stimulus payments and reduced spending during lockdowns allowed many households to pay down debt and increase savings.
It is worth noting that these gains may have partially reversed since the 2022 survey. Rising interest rates in 2023-2024 cooled some housing markets, and stock market volatility in early 2026 has affected portfolio values. The 2025 SCF (results due late 2026) will capture these shifts.
What Drives Net Worth at Each Age
Under 35: Building the Foundation
At this stage, most net worth comes from modest savings and early retirement contributions. Student loan debt is the primary liability for many, and homeownership rates are low. A median of $39,000 reflects a generation that is just getting started. The dramatic percentage increase from 2019 suggests that younger households benefited significantly from rising home equity and stimulus-era savings.
If you are in this age group, the most impactful steps are building an emergency fund (see our emergency fund guide), paying down high-interest debt, and starting retirement contributions early to capture decades of compound growth.
35-54: Peak Accumulation
These decades are when net worth typically grows fastest. Career earnings peak, home equity builds through mortgage payments and appreciation, and retirement accounts benefit from years of compounding. The median roughly triples from the 35-44 bracket ($135,600) to the 45-54 bracket ($247,200).
The biggest risks to net worth at this stage are lifestyle inflation, excessive housing costs, and insufficient retirement savings. Use the Retirement Calculator to check whether your savings rate is on track, and read our guide on retirement savings benchmarks by age.
55-74: Peak and Plateau
Net worth peaks in the 65-74 bracket at a median of $409,900. This represents a lifetime of accumulation: a paid-off or nearly paid-off home, full retirement accounts, and reduced debt. The slight dip after 75 reflects the drawdown phase, as retirees begin spending down savings and may face increased healthcare costs or transitions to assisted living.
If you are approaching or in retirement, the FIRE Calculator and Retirement Calculator can help you model whether your current net worth supports your planned withdrawal rate.
Net Worth by Education and Race
The SCF data also reveals significant disparities in net worth by education level and race, which provide important context for interpreting the age-based benchmarks.
| Characteristic | Median Net Worth | Average Net Worth |
|---|---|---|
| No high school diploma | $27,800 | $215,100 |
| High school diploma | $113,200 | $380,100 |
| Some college | $120,200 | $537,300 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | $504,200 | $2,009,400 |
| White non-Hispanic | $285,000 | $1,348,500 |
| Black non-Hispanic | $44,900 | $340,200 |
| Hispanic | $61,600 | $334,700 |
| Other or multiple race | $135,600 | $785,600 |
The racial wealth gap remains one of the most significant features of American household finances. The median net worth of White non-Hispanic households ($285,000) is more than six times that of Black non-Hispanic households ($44,900). Education is also a powerful predictor: households headed by someone with a bachelor's degree or higher have a median net worth ($504,200) that is nearly four and a half times higher than households headed by someone with only a high school diploma ($113,200).
What Counts in Your Net Worth
Your net worth is the sum of everything you own (assets) minus everything you owe (liabilities). The major components, based on the SCF data:
Assets: Primary residence equity (the single largest asset for most households), retirement accounts (401(k), IRA, pension), other financial assets (stocks, bonds, savings), vehicles, business equity, and other real estate.
Liabilities: Mortgage debt (the largest liability for most), student loans, auto loans, credit card debt, and other consumer debt.
For most Americans, home equity and retirement accounts together make up 60-70% of total net worth. This concentration means that housing market and stock market movements have an outsized effect on household wealth. The Home Equity Calculator can help you estimate your current home equity position.
Where the Wealth Actually Is
The Federal Reserve's Distributional Financial Accounts (updated quarterly through Q3 2025) show the current distribution of total U.S. household wealth:
| Wealth Group | Share of Total U.S. Net Worth |
|---|---|
| Top 1% | 31.0% |
| 90th-99th percentile | 37.2% |
| 50th-90th percentile | 29.3% |
| Bottom 50% | 2.5% |
The top 10% of households hold 68.2% of all household wealth. The bottom 50% holds just 2.5%. This concentration is important context: when you compare yourself to "the average American," the average is being pulled dramatically upward by a relatively small group at the top.
Key Net Worth Thresholds
Based on the 2022 SCF data, here are the approximate thresholds for major net worth milestones across all ages:
| Milestone | Approximate Net Worth | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| 50th percentile (median) | $192,900 | You have more than half of American households |
| 70th percentile | ~$500,000 | Wealthier than 70% of households |
| 80th percentile | ~$900,000 | Approaching top quintile |
| 90th percentile | ~$1,920,000 | Top 10% |
| 95th percentile | ~$3,795,000 | Top 5% |
| 99th percentile | ~$13,615,000 | Top 1% |
Millionaire status is more common than most people realize. About one in five American households has crossed the $1 million mark, often through a combination of home equity, retirement savings, and long-term investing rather than extraordinary income. To see how your finances compare globally, try the How Rich Am I? calculator.
Track Your Net Worth Over Time
Calculate your current net worth and see which percentile you fall in.
Use the Net Worth CalculatorHow to Grow Your Net Worth
Regardless of where you currently stand, the levers for building net worth are consistent across all ages and income levels.
Increase the gap between income and spending. Net worth grows when you consistently spend less than you earn and invest the difference. The Zero-Based Budget can help you identify where money is going and redirect it toward wealth building.
Maximize employer retirement matches. If your employer matches 401(k) contributions, contributing at least enough to get the full match is the highest-return investment available to most people. The 2026 contribution limit is $24,500, with an additional $8,000 catch-up for those 50 and older (and $11,250 for ages 60-63 under SECURE 2.0). See our retirement savings benchmarks for age-specific targets.
Build home equity strategically. For most Americans, their home is their largest asset. Making extra mortgage payments or choosing a 15-year mortgage accelerates equity building. The Early Mortgage Payoff Calculator shows the impact of extra payments, and our guide on refinancing can help you assess whether a lower rate would accelerate the process.
Eliminate high-interest debt. Credit card debt at 20-25% interest destroys wealth faster than most investments build it. Paying off high-interest debt is effectively a guaranteed 20-25% return. See our guide on paying off credit card debt.
Invest consistently in low-cost index funds. Over the long term, the stock market has returned approximately 7-10% annually after inflation. The Compound Interest Calculator can show you the long-term impact of consistent investing at various rates.
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Related Tools
Calculate your net worth with the Net Worth Calculator. See how you compare globally with How Rich Am I?. Plan your retirement with the Retirement Calculator. Build a budget with the Zero-Based Budget. Model compound growth with the Compound Interest Calculator. Check your home equity with the Home Equity Calculator. And explore early retirement with the FIRE Calculator.