Average Net Worth by Age in America 2026: Where Do You Stand?
Net Worth by Age: The Complete 2026 Data
Data from the Federal Reserve's Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF), adjusted to 2026, shows enormous variation in household wealth across age groups. The median (50th percentile) tells you what the typical household has. The average (mean) is pulled up dramatically by high-net-worth outliers.
| Age group | Median net worth | Average net worth | 75th percentile | 90th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 25 | $8,000 | $55,000 | $35,000 | $105,000 |
| 25-34 | $39,000 | $183,000 | $135,000 | $390,000 |
| 35-44 | $135,000 | $549,000 | $370,000 | $960,000 |
| 45-54 | $247,000 | $975,000 | $675,000 | $1,800,000 |
| 55-64 | $364,000 | $1,566,000 | $1,050,000 | $2,900,000 |
| 65-74 | $409,000 | $1,794,000 | $1,220,000 | $3,200,000 |
| 75+ | $335,000 | $1,624,000 | $955,000 | $2,700,000 |
Notice the enormous gap between median and average at every age. For the 35-44 group, the median is $135,000 while the average is $549,000 — over 4x higher. This is because a small number of very wealthy households pull the average far above what is typical. Always compare yourself to the median, not the average. Use our net worth percentile calculator to see exactly where you stand.
Why Median vs Average Matters So Much
If 99 people each have $50,000 and one person has $50,000,000, the average net worth in that room is $549,500. The median is $50,000. Which number better represents the group? The median. Financial media often reports average net worth because the numbers are more dramatic, but the median is the only useful benchmark for comparing yourself to typical Americans.
Net Worth Milestones by Age
Fidelity Investments, one of the largest retirement plan administrators, recommends these savings milestones based on salary:
| Age | Savings target | On $75K salary | On $100K salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | 1x salary saved | $75,000 | $100,000 |
| 35 | 2x salary saved | $150,000 | $200,000 |
| 40 | 3x salary saved | $225,000 | $300,000 |
| 45 | 4x salary saved | $300,000 | $400,000 |
| 50 | 6x salary saved | $450,000 | $600,000 |
| 55 | 7x salary saved | $525,000 | $700,000 |
| 60 | 8x salary saved | $600,000 | $800,000 |
| 67 | 10x salary saved | $750,000 | $1,000,000 |
These are targets for retirement savings specifically — not total net worth (which includes home equity, vehicles, and other assets). If you are behind, do not panic. Increasing your savings rate by even 2-3% has a dramatic compounding effect. Use our retirement calculator to model catch-up strategies.
The Wealth Gap by Race and Education
Net worth varies dramatically by race and educational attainment, reflecting systemic differences in homeownership rates, income, inheritance, and access to employer benefits:
| Demographic | Median net worth | Average net worth |
|---|---|---|
| White households | $285,000 | $1,280,000 |
| Black households | $44,900 | $340,000 |
| Hispanic households | $61,600 | $390,000 |
| College degree | $308,000 | $1,520,000 |
| No college degree | $74,000 | $380,000 |
| Homeowner | $396,200 | $1,380,000 |
| Renter | $10,400 | $167,000 |
The homeownership gap is the starkest: homeowners have 38x the median net worth of renters. Home equity is the largest single component of household wealth for most American families. This is why the rent-vs-buy decision, explored in our rent vs buy calculator, has such profound long-term wealth implications.
How to Calculate Your Net Worth
Assets (what you own): checking and savings accounts, retirement accounts (401k, IRA), taxable investment accounts, home equity (market value minus mortgage), vehicles (current value, not purchase price), other property.
Liabilities (what you owe): mortgage balance, student loans, auto loans, credit card balances, personal loans, medical debt, any other debts.
Net worth = Total assets minus total liabilities. It is normal for young adults to have negative net worth due to student loans. A 25-year-old with $30,000 in student debt and $10,000 in savings has a net worth of negative $20,000 — this is typical and temporary. Use our net worth calculator to compute yours and see your percentile ranking.
5 Actions That Move the Needle Fastest
1. Max your employer 401(k) match. A 4% match on $75,000 salary is $3,000/year in free money. Over 30 years at 8%, that match alone grows to $340,000.
2. Pay off high-interest debt. Every $1,000 of credit card debt at 22% APR costs $220/year in interest. Eliminating it is a guaranteed 22% return — better than any investment. Use our debt payoff calculator to plan.
3. Buy a home (when the math works). Homeownership builds wealth through forced savings (mortgage principal payments) and appreciation (3-5% historically). Use our rent vs buy calculator to see if buying makes sense in your market.
4. Increase savings rate by 1% every 6 months. Going from 6% to 15% savings rate over 4.5 years is barely noticeable paycheck-to-paycheck but doubles your retirement trajectory.
5. Track your net worth quarterly. What gets measured gets managed. Watching your net worth grow creates motivation to keep saving and investing. Our financial independence calculator shows how current trends project into the future.
Reviewed by certified financial planners. Updated for 2026 Economic Year.