What Is a Good Net Worth by Age? 2026 Benchmarks
Everyone wonders how they stack up. This guide shows the real median and average net worth for every age group using the latest Federal Reserve data, explains why the median is the number you should actually compare yourself to, and gives a clear plan to grow yours.
US median net worth is about $192,900 across all ages (Federal Reserve, 2022 data). By age: roughly $39,000 under 35, $135,600 for 35–44, $247,200 for 45–54, $364,500 for 55–64, and $409,900 for 65–74. Compare yourself to the median, not the much-higher average.
The Short Answer
The median net worth in the United States is about $192,900 across all ages, according to the Federal Reserve's Survey of Consumer Finances. But that figure hides a huge range by decade: the typical household under 35 has around $39,000, while the typical household aged 65–74 has around $410,000. A "good" net worth is one that is growing steadily and is at or above the median for your age.
Median Net Worth by Age (2022 Federal Reserve Data)
The Federal Reserve runs its Survey of Consumer Finances every three years. The 2022 survey, released in late 2023, is the most recent reliable data available; the next update is expected in late 2026. Here is how net worth breaks down by the age of the household head.
| Age group | Median net worth | Average (mean) net worth |
|---|---|---|
| Under 35 | $39,000 | $183,500 |
| 35–44 | $135,600 | $549,600 |
| 45–54 | $247,200 | $975,800 |
| 55–64 | $364,500 | $1,566,900 |
| 65–74 | $409,900 | $1,794,600 |
| 75+ | $335,600 | $1,624,100 |
Why You Should Use the Median, Not the Average
Notice that the average is 4–5 times higher than the median in every age group. That gap is not a mistake — it reflects how concentrated wealth is at the top. A handful of very wealthy households pull the average way up, while the median (the household exactly in the middle) stays put. For comparing yourself to "typical," the median is the honest benchmark.
- At the median, half of households your age have more and half have less.
- Under-35 net worth is often low or negative because of student loans and early-career income.
- Net worth roughly doubles each decade for the typical household, peaking around ages 65–74.
What Counts as Net Worth?
Net worth is simply what you own minus what you owe. Assets include cash, bank accounts, investments, retirement accounts, and home equity. Liabilities include your mortgage, student loans, car loans, and credit card balances. If your debts are larger than your assets, your net worth is negative — common in your 20s, and fixable with a steady plan.
Is Your Net Worth "Good"?
Rather than chasing a single number, ask three questions: Is it above the median for my age? Is it trending up year over year? Is my savings rate high enough to keep that trend going? A 32-year-old with $60,000 is comfortably above the under-35 median; a 50-year-old with the same amount has work to do. Context — your age, income, and debt — matters more than the raw figure.
How to Grow Your Net Worth at Any Age
The two levers are growing assets and shrinking liabilities, ideally at the same time. Max out tax-advantaged retirement accounts (especially any employer match), build home equity through regular payments, pay down high-interest debt first, and keep lifestyle inflation in check as your income rises. A household saving 15% consistently can close a large gap within a decade thanks to compounding.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good net worth by age?
A good benchmark is being at or above the median for your age. From the 2022 Federal Reserve data, that is roughly $39,000 under 35, $135,600 for 35–44, $247,200 for 45–54, $364,500 for 55–64, and $409,900 for 65–74. Being above median and trending upward is the goal.
What is the average net worth in the US?
The average (mean) US household net worth is about $1.06 million, but this is skewed by very wealthy households. The median — about $192,900 — is a far more realistic benchmark for a typical household.
Why is median net worth lower than average?
Because a small number of extremely wealthy households pull the average up. The median ignores those outliers and shows the household exactly in the middle, making it the better comparison for most people.
Is net worth more important than income?
In the long run, often yes. Income shows what you earn; net worth shows what you have kept and built. Two people with the same salary can have wildly different net worths depending on saving and spending habits.
How can I calculate my own net worth?
Add up everything you own (cash, investments, retirement accounts, home value, car) and subtract everything you owe (mortgage, loans, credit cards). The result is your net worth. Our free Net Worth Calculator does the math for you.