News & Trending Money News

Here's the Net Worth of Americans at Every Age (How Do You Compare?)

See how your net worth compares with others your age.

By Kristin Hitchcock , Edited by Laura Hohenstein

Updated Sept. 30, 2026

Add Us On Google

Net worth can reveal more about your financial position than income alone. It shows what you have accumulated after accounting for what you owe, and the number tends to change dramatically as people buy homes, pay down debt, invest, and eventually begin spending their retirement savings.

If you are trying to grow your wealth, comparing your net worth with households at a similar stage of life can provide useful context. Here is how the median American family compares at every age, beginning with households under 35.

Set up eligible direct deposit - pocket up to $400

Set up an eligible direct deposit with SoFi Checking and Savings and you could earn a bonus of $50 or $400.¹ New and existing Checking and Savings members who have not previously enrolled in Direct Deposit with SoFi are eligible to earn a cash bonus of either $50 (with at least $1,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more) OR $400 (with at least $5,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more). Cash bonus amount will be based on the total amount of Eligible Direct Deposit received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more. If you have satisfied the Eligible Direct Deposit requirements but have not received a cash bonus in your Checking account, please contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. Direct Deposit Promotion begins on 5/15/2026 and will be available through 12/31/2026. Full terms at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/">sofi.com/banking</a>. SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A., Member FDIC. SoFi members with Eligible Direct Deposit can earn 3.30% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the 3.30% APY for savings (including Vaults). Members without Eligible Direct Deposit will earn 0.80% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 9/23/26. Fees may reduce earnings. Additional information can be found at <a href="https://d32ijn7u0aqfv4.cloudfront.net/wp/wp-content/uploads/raw/SoFi-Bank-Rate-Sheet-September-23-2026.pdf">http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet</a>. Make the switch, set up eligible direct deposit, earn the bonus. It basically takes no extra work at all other than following these steps.

Why people are switching: This account earns up to an insane 4.20% APY² Earn up to 4.20% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on one SoFi Savings account with a 0.90% APY Boost (added to the 3.30% APY as of 9/23/26) for up to 6 months. Open your first SoFi Checking and Savings account and receive eligible direct deposits OR qualifying deposits of $5,000 every 31 days by 12/31/26. Rates are variable, subject to change. Terms apply at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/#4">sofi.com/banking#4</a>. SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. on savings for up to six months (3.30% APY standard + 0.90% APY boost) on top of that $50 or $400 bonus.¹ New and existing Checking and Savings members who have not previously enrolled in Direct Deposit with SoFi are eligible to earn a cash bonus of either $50 (with at least $1,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more) OR $400 (with at least $5,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more). Cash bonus amount will be based on the total amount of Eligible Direct Deposit received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more. If you have satisfied the Eligible Direct Deposit requirements but have not received a cash bonus in your Checking account, please contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. Direct Deposit Promotion begins on 5/15/2026 and will be available through 12/31/2026. Full terms at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/">sofi.com/banking</a>. SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A., Member FDIC. SoFi members with Eligible Direct Deposit can earn 3.30% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the 3.30% APY for savings (including Vaults). Members without Eligible Direct Deposit will earn 0.80% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 9/23/26. Fees may reduce earnings. Additional information can be found at <a href="https://d32ijn7u0aqfv4.cloudfront.net/wp/wp-content/uploads/raw/SoFi-Bank-Rate-Sheet-September-23-2026.pdf">http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet</a>. That's way better than the measly 0.38% APY (as of 06/15/26)³ Based on <a href="https://www.fdic.gov/national-rates-and-rate-caps">this</a> FDIC data, as of 6/15/26. national average savings accounts offer.

No monthly fees and no surprises. Open your account and earn up to a $400 bonus

What net worth actually measures

Understanding average net worth by age can help you put your finances in context and see how wealth tends to change over a lifetime. Net worth is the value of your assets minus your liabilities. Assets may include bank accounts, investments, retirement accounts, real estate, vehicles, and business interests. Liabilities include mortgages, student loans, car loans, credit card balances, and other debts.

The calculation is simple:

Total assets − total liabilities = net worth

A household can have a high income but a modest net worth if it has substantial debt or has not accumulated many assets.

Shopping for cheaper auto insurance? Enter your zip code here to get started.

Median net worth by age

The latest available Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finances provides the following figures. These are family-level estimates based on the age of the household's "reference person," rather than estimates for each individual American.

Age	Median net worth	Average net worth
Under 35	$39,000	$183,500
35 to 44	$135,600	$549,600
45 to 54	$247,200	$975,800
55 to 64	$364,500	$1,566,900
65 to 74	$409,900	$1,794,600
75 and older	$335,600	$1,624,100

Under 35: $39,000

Early adulthood often comes with more financial obligations than accumulated assets. Student loans, car debt, entry-level earnings, and the cost of establishing a household can keep net worth low or even push it below zero.

Still, the median under-35 family had a positive net worth of $39,000. Savings, retirement contributions, vehicles, and early home equity may all contribute to that amount.

Resolve $10,000 or more of your debt

National Debt Relief could help you resolve your credit card debt with an affordable plan that works for you. Just tell them your situation, then find out your debt relief options.⁴ Please note that all calls with the company may be recorded or monitored for quality assurance and training purposes. Clients who are able to stay with the program and get all their debt settled realize approximate savings of 45% before fees, or 20% including our fees, over 24 to 48 months. All claims are based on enrolled debts. Not all debts are eligible for enrollment. Not all clients complete our program for various reasons, including their ability to save sufficient funds. Estimates based on prior results, which will vary based on specific circumstances. We do not guarantee that your debts will be lowered by a specific amount or percentage or that you will be debt-free within a specific period of time. We do not assume consumer debt, make monthly payments to creditors or provide tax, bankruptcy, accounting or legal advice or credit repair services. Not available in all states. Please contact a tax professional to discuss tax consequences of settlement. Please consult with a bankruptcy attorney for more information on bankruptcy. Depending on your state, we may be available to recommend a local tax professional and/or bankruptcy attorney. Read and understand all program materials prior to enrollment, including potential adverse impact on credit rating. "Debt-Free" applies only to enrolled credit cards, personal loans, and medical bills. Not mortgages, car loans, or other debts. Results vary.

Ages 35 to 44: $135,600

The median climbs up to $135,600 during this decade. Earnings are generally higher, retirement accounts have had some time to grow, and many families have begun building meaningful equity in a home.

Home equity typically becomes the largest piece of the average household's wealth from the mid-30s onward. That means that two families with similar salaries may have very different net worth figures depending on whether and when they bought a home.

Ages 45 to 54: $247,200

Median net worth reaches $247,200 for families in their late 40s and early 50s. These are often strong earning years, but they can also be expensive ones. Mortgages, college costs, children, and care for aging parents may compete with retirement savings.

Even so, years of mortgage payments and steady retirement contributions can start producing a noticeable acceleration in wealth.

Ages 55 to 64: $364,500

The median rises to $364,500 as retirement comes into view. Some households are earning more than ever, while major expenses such as childcare or college may be winding down.

This can create an opportunity to increase retirement contributions or eliminate debt. However, much of the typical household's net worth may still be tied up in a home rather than available as cash for everyday retirement expenses.

Make Money: 8 things to do if you're barely scraping by financially

Ages 65 to 74: $409,900

Median net worth peaks at $409,900 for families between 65 and 74. By this stage, many homeowners have paid off most or all of their mortgages, and retirement accounts have benefited from decades of contributions and potential investment growth.

Not every household begins drawing down its savings immediately after leaving work. Some retirees continue working, delay withdrawals, or spend less during the early years of retirement.

Ages 75 and older: $335,600

The median falls to $335,600 after age 75. That decline is not necessarily a sign that older Americans have handled money poorly. Retirement savings are meant to be spent, and households may draw down their assets to cover ordinary expenses, health care, home maintenance, or long-term care.

Some retirees also give money to children or grandchildren while they are still alive.

Why the median tells the more useful story

The median represents the middle household, where half have more wealth and half have less. The average adds all household wealth together and divides it evenly.

A relatively small group of extremely wealthy families pulls the averages much higher. In every age bracket shown above, average net worth is around four to five times the median. For most readers, the median offers a more realistic comparison.

Earn $100 cash rewards bonus with this incredible card

The Wells Fargo Active Cash^® Card (Rates and fees) has no annual fee and you can earn a $100 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.

Cardholders can also earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.

The best part? There's no annual fee.

Click here to apply now.

Bottom line

Median net worth generally rises throughout Americans' working years, peaks between ages 65 and 74, and declines as retirees start using their savings. These benchmarks can provide useful context, but your progress matters more than whether you land above or below the median for your age.

To prepare yourself financially, calculate your net worth at the same time each year using consistent, conservative asset values. Tracking whether debts are shrinking and investable assets are growing can reveal more about your financial direction than a one-time comparison.

FAQs

Can you have a negative net worth and still be making progress?

Yes. A negative figure means your debts currently exceed your assets. If that gap is narrowing as you repay debt or build savings, your financial position is improving.

Does Social Security count toward net worth?

No. Future Social Security payments are income you may receive, rather than an asset you currently own. They still matter when planning how you'll cover retirement expenses.

Should I include my home when calculating net worth?

Yes, include your home's estimated market value as an asset and your remaining mortgage as a liability. The difference is your home equity. You may also want to track net worth without home equity to see how much of your wealth is in other assets.

More from FinanceBuzz:

Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers
$0 annual fee
Apply Now

Get a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers; balance transfer fee applies. Then 17.74% - 26.74% Standard Variable Purchase APR applies, based on credit worthiness
INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300
Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases
Redeem cash back for any amount. No annual fee
Terms and conditions apply

4.7

Apply Now

on Issuer's secure website

Read Card Review

Intro Offer

INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300

Annual Fee

Why we like it