What Is a Good Net Worth by Age?

Everyone wants to know: "Am I on track?" Net worth is the single best snapshot of where you stand financially. It is the sum of everything you own minus everything you owe. One number, and it tells you more about your financial health than your income, your credit score, or the balance in your checking account.

Here is what the data actually shows, what it means, and what to do about it.

Median Net Worth by Age (2025 Federal Reserve Data)

The Federal Reserve's Survey of Consumer Finances is the gold standard for wealth data in the United States. Here are the most recent median net worth figures by age of household head:

• Under 35: $39,000 median / $183,500 mean
• 35-44: $135,600 median / $549,600 mean
• 45-54: $247,200 median / $975,800 mean
• 55-64: $364,500 median / $1,566,900 mean
• 65-74: $409,900 median / $1,794,600 mean
• 75+: $335,600 median / $1,624,100 mean

If those numbers look surprisingly low — or surprisingly high — it depends on which number you are reading and which circles you run in.

Why Mean and Median Are So Different

The gap between mean (average) and median (middle) net worth is enormous. For the 35-44 group, the mean is 4x the median. This happens because wealth is heavily concentrated at the top. A handful of millionaires and billionaires pull the average way up, while the typical household sits much lower.

Always use the median when comparing yourself to "typical" Americans. The mean is useful for economists studying total wealth, but it is misleading for personal benchmarking.

Track your own progress over time with our net worth calculator.

How to Calculate Your Net Worth

Net worth is simple arithmetic:

Net Worth = Total Assets - Total Liabilities

What Counts as Assets

• Cash and bank accounts: checking, savings, CDs, money market
• Investment accounts: brokerage, 401(k), IRA, Roth IRA, HSA
• Real estate: current market value of your home and any investment properties
• Vehicles: current resale value (not what you paid)
• Business equity: your ownership stake in any business
• Other assets: valuable personal property, intellectual property, cash value life insurance

What Counts as Liabilities

• Mortgage balance: remaining principal on your home loan
• Student loans: federal and private
• Auto loans: remaining balance
• Credit card debt: total outstanding balances
• Personal loans: any other debt obligations
• Medical debt: outstanding bills

Many people are surprised to find their net worth is negative, especially in their 20s and early 30s when student loans and auto loans outweigh assets. That is normal. The trajectory matters more than the snapshot.

What "Good" Actually Looks Like by Decade

In Your 20s

A positive net worth at all is ahead of the curve. Most people in their 20s are just starting careers, still have student debt, and have not accumulated significant savings. If you have $10,000-$25,000 in net worth by 30, you are doing well. The key at this stage is building habits: contributing to a 401(k), avoiding high-interest debt, and saving consistently.

In Your 30s

This is where wealth building begins in earnest. You should aim for 1x your annual salary in net worth by 35 and 2x by 40. At the median household income of roughly $80,000, that means $80,000-$160,000 by the end of your 30s. Home equity often becomes a major component here.

In Your 40s

By 45, target 3x your salary; by 50, 4x. Retirement accounts should be growing meaningfully thanks to compound interest. If you started investing $500/month at 30 in a diversified portfolio averaging 7% returns, you would have approximately $240,000 by 45 — just from that one savings stream.

In Your 50s

The wealth accumulation phase peaks here. Target 5-6x your salary by 55 and 7-8x by 60. Catch-up contributions to 401(k) and IRA accounts become available at 50, allowing you to save an extra $7,500/year in your 401(k).

In Your 60s and Beyond

Net worth typically peaks in the late 60s, then gradually declines as retirees draw down savings. The median drops from $409,900 for 65-74 to $335,600 for 75+, reflecting this spend-down phase. A well-planned retirement ensures the decline is controlled, not panicked.

How to Improve Your Net Worth at Any Age

Net worth grows from two forces: increasing assets and decreasing liabilities. Here are the highest-impact moves:

• Maximize employer match: If your employer matches 401(k) contributions, contribute enough to get the full match. This is a 50-100% instant return on your money.
• Attack high-interest debt: Credit card debt at 20-25% interest destroys net worth faster than almost anything else. Pay it off aggressively.
• Automate savings: Set up automatic transfers to investment accounts. Use our savings calculator to model how small consistent contributions grow over time.
• Avoid lifestyle inflation: When your income increases, save the raise instead of spending it. The gap between income and expenses is what builds wealth.
• Invest, don't just save: Cash in a savings account earning 4-5% loses purchasing power to inflation over time. Invest in diversified index funds for long-term wealth building through compound growth.

Benchmarks Are Not the Whole Story

Net worth comparisons are useful as a rough compass, not a scoreboard. Someone with $200,000 in net worth in rural Indiana has a very different financial reality than someone with $200,000 in San Francisco. Cost of living, family size, career stage, health costs, and personal goals all matter.

The best comparison is you versus your past self. Are you growing? Is the trajectory positive? Are you building momentum? Track your net worth quarterly using our net worth calculator, and focus on consistent progress rather than hitting an arbitrary benchmark.