What is the average net worth by age in the US?

According to the Federal Reserve's Survey of Consumer Finances, median net worth by age group is: under 35: $39,000; ages 35–44: $76,000; ages 45–54: $192,700; ages 55–64: $250,000; ages 65–74: $409,900. Average net worth is much higher but is skewed by the ultra-wealthy — median is a more useful comparison.

What should my net worth be at 40?

The median net worth for ages 35–44 is $76,000. Fidelity recommends having 3× your annual salary saved (in retirement accounts) by age 40. On a $70,000 salary, that target is $210,000. Net worth benchmarks vary by income — use multiples of your salary rather than dollar amounts.

What counts as an asset for net worth?

Assets include: cash and savings accounts, brokerage/investment accounts, 401(k) and IRA balances, home equity (market value minus mortgage balance), vehicle value (KBB price), business equity, and valuable personal property. Future Social Security income and future earnings do NOT count as assets in a net worth calculation.

How do I calculate my net worth?

Net worth = Total Assets minus Total Liabilities. List all assets (accounts, investments, home equity, vehicle value) and their current values. List all liabilities (mortgage balance, student loans, car loans, credit card balances). Subtract total liabilities from total assets. Use CalcPro's Net Worth Calculator to get an instant breakdown.

Is $500,000 net worth good at 50?

$500,000 net worth at 50 places you above the median ($192,700 for ages 45–54) and near the 60th percentile. However, whether it's 'good' depends on your income and retirement goals. By Fidelity's benchmark, you'd want 6× your annual salary saved by 50 — so on a $100,000 salary, the target would be $600,000.

What Should Your Net Worth Be by Age? (2026 Benchmarks)

$192K

Median net worth, ages 45–54 (Fed 2025)

$76K

Median net worth, ages 35–44

10×

Gap between average and median (wealth skew)

📊 What Is Net Worth?

Net worth is the single most important snapshot of your financial health. It's simple:

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The Formula

Net Worth = Total Assets − Total Liabilities
Assets: cash, investments, retirement accounts, real estate equity, vehicles.
Liabilities: mortgage balance, student loans, car loans, credit card debt.

📈 Net Worth Benchmarks by Age (Federal Reserve Data)

The Fed's Survey of Consumer Finances is the gold standard. Here's where Americans actually stand — median is the better benchmark since average is skewed by billionaires:

Age Group	Median Net Worth	Average Net Worth
Under 35	$39,000	$183,000
35–44	$76,000	$549,000
45–54	$192,700	$975,000
55–64	$250,000	$1,566,000
65–74	$409,900	$1,794,000
75+	$335,600	$1,624,000

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Average vs. Median — Which Should You Use?

Always compare yourself to median net worth, not average. Jeff Bezos walking into a bar raises the average net worth of everyone in the room by millions. The median tells you what the person in the middle actually has.

🎯 The "1× Salary" Rule and Other Milestones

Fidelity's popular rule of thumb gives age-based savings milestones based on multiples of your annual salary:

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Fidelity Savings Milestones

Age 30:1× your salary saved

Age 40:3× your salary saved

Age 50:6× your salary saved

Age 60:8× your salary saved

Age 67:10× your salary saved

On $75K salary, target at 50:

$450,000

in retirement accounts

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Behind the Benchmark? Don't Panic

Only 46% of Americans are "on track" by these milestones. What matters more than where you are is the direction you're moving. Even adding $200/month to investments at 35 adds $330,000+ by 65 at 7% growth.

🧮 What Actually Counts as an Asset?

Asset Type	Include?	Notes
Checking/savings	✅ Yes	Full balance
Investment accounts	✅ Yes	Current market value
401(k) / IRA	✅ Yes	Current vested balance
Home equity	✅ Yes	Market value − mortgage balance
Vehicle value	✅ Yes	KBB value (it depreciates fast)
Crypto	✅ Yes	Current market value (volatile)
Social Security	❌ No	Not a liquid asset
Future income	❌ No	Not yet earned

🚀 How to Increase Your Net Worth Faster

Reduce liabilities

Pay down high-interest debt first (avalanche method)

Grow assets

Max 401(k) match, then Roth IRA, then taxable accounts

🎯 Key Takeaways

Always compare to median net worth, not average — averages are skewed by the ultra-wealthy
The median American under 35 has ~$39K net worth; ages 45–54 have ~$192K
Fidelity's rule: save 1× salary by 30, 3× by 40, 6× by 50, 10× by 67
Home equity counts — but it's illiquid, so don't over-rely on it
The biggest net worth driver is time in the market, not timing the market