Are You Rich? Latest Survey Results Provide Some Clues (2024)

Are you rich? This is a question that many people ask themselves in quiet moments but would never have enough nerve to say out loud. What is the magic number to be considered rich? As it turns out, the definition seems to be changing, according to a 2022 survey.

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What’s the Dollar Figure for Being Considered Rich?

How much money do you need to be considered rich? According to Schwab’s 2022 Modern Wealth Survey (opens in new tab), Americans believe it takes an average net worth of $2.2 million to qualify a person as being wealthy. (Net worth is the sum of your assets minus your liabilities.)

To get a clearer picture of where you rank, check out this wealth report card (opens in new tab):

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  • People with the top 1% of net worth (opens in new tab) in the U.S. in 2022 had $10,815,000 in net worth.
  • The top 2% had a net worth of $2,472,000.
  • The top 5% had $1,030,000.
  • The top 10% had $854,900.
  • The top 50% had $522,210.

For more perspective, according to the most recent Federal Reserve Board Survey of Consumer Finances (opens in new tab), which is released every three years, the median net worth of all families (meaning half made more and half made less) in 2019 was $121,700, and the mean, or average, net worth was $748,800.

Here’s the average net worth by age in 2019, according to the same survey:

Younger than 35: $76,300

35-44: $436,200

45-54: $833,200

55-64: $1,175,900

65-74: $1,217,700

75 or older: $977,600

Nerd Wallet’s net worth calculator (opens in new tab) can help you determine your net worth.

A Different Measure of Wealth: The American Dream

The term “the American dream” is so imbedded into the American psyche that the Merriam-Webster dictionary (opens in new tab) deems it to be a “noun phrase.” The definition is: “A happy way of living that is thought of by many Americans as something that can be achieved by anyone in the U.S. especially by working hard and becoming successful.”

Haven’t you fantasized about what it would feel like to never have to look at a price tag on that cool electronic gadget, or the prices on a menu, or never having to worry about paying the medical bills…or any bills, or to just pick out that dream car and not think twice about the cost? I have. And I bet many of you have, too. I have even dreamed of winning the $2 billion lottery and how I’d share it with my friends and family (as long as they didn’t bug me about it!).

What does that fantasy really give you? For me, it gives me freedom — financial freedom. My definition of rich, like many of you, is not to have to worry about paying the next surprise bill, or actually being able to reasonably spend guilt-free. I’d also love to share that freedom with others. I’m not talking Jeff Bezos wealthy (opens in new tab) — I’m talking “not-having-to-worry wealthy.”

Be Careful What You Wish For?

Many view wealthy people as being evil and exploitive, or Scrooge types. The site dnyuz.com (opens in new tab) posed a question on Instagram: “Do you think you can be rich and be a good person?” The answers were split: 44% of respondents said “yes”, while 32% said “no.” We all know that you can be a jerk regardless of your net worth. It’s just strange that people are incredulous, or perhaps jealous, of something they themselves may covet.

Here’s an interesting thing about rich people: The richest 1% of people in the world create more than double the carbon emissions of the poorest. This makes sense, because they are flying around in private jets, and the poor, in many cases, don’t even have electricity. Oxfam International found that 1% of the richest people in the world accelerated climate change far more than any others, and the poor are hit the hardest by this.

The Racial Wealth Gap

Unfortunately, the American dream is not available for everyone. Housing equity (opens in new tab) makes up about two-thirds of all wealth. The National Community Reinvestment Coalition (opens in new tab) reports that “… housing discrimination and segregation still persist, causing long-term societal effects in America. Segregation and discrimination in housing harm people’s health, their ability to accumulate wealth and the environment.”

In a 2019 survey from the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (opens in new tab), it was clearly shown that people of color are not achieving the American Dream like their white counterparts are. White families’ median wealth was $188,200, while Black families’ was less than 15% of that of whites’ at $24,100. Hispanic families’ median wealth was $36,100. Growth rates for wealth among these underserved families is rising, but these figures remain disturbing.

Data used from the Survey of Consumer Finances and others, as stated by the U.S. Department of the Treasury (opens in new tab), reported that racial gaps in economic security have hindered people of color from building wealth. As recently as 2016, they reported “… that nearly 20% of Black families had zero or negative net worth compared to 9% of whites’ …” Also, when Black people were pursuing the American Dream by going to college, their student loan debt was 30% higher than that of whites.

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The New American Dream for the Next Generation?

Gen Zers (opens in new tab) are leading the way when it comes to being guided by their values and having those reflect their life decisions.

The next generation is redefining the American dream, but some of the basics we still hold. According to a survey conducted by Echelon Insights in 2020, (opens in new tab) 81% of this next generation does believe that hard work will allow them to achieve success, as they define it. They want freedom to choose what to be, financial well-being, family, a good job and housing. They also really value work-life balance.

Oops, Not So Fast

What makes this generation very different from Boomers is that they were willing to leave a job to find the freedom and the job quality they wanted. But the tide may be changing. As the pandemic began to ease, the economy started booming and employers were begging people to work.

The result of the economy coming roaring back was inflation. Inflation means that the Fed had to put the brakes on growth by raising interest rates. The higher rates have greatly affected lots of sectors, and now we are beginning to see layoffs. For example, notable tech companies such as Amazon, Meta and Twitter are cutting thousands of jobs.

The verdict is not in as to how the newfound values surrounding freedom in the workplace vs. putting food on the table will play out. I’m thinking that food will win over freedom, but I could be wrong.

Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is

The Schwab survey also found that “more than eight in 10 Americans (82%) agree that their personal values play an important role in how they manage their finances.” Yes, price and products are important, but “almost eight in 10 Americans (79%) say they try to use their purchasing power to support brands that are aligned with their beliefs.” Seventy-three percent agree that their values also guide their investment choices.

I’m a little cynical when it comes to surveys. Who really wants to admit that their life goal is to be rich? It seems pretty vacuous. Of course people are going to say that they care about making the planet a healthier place for all living things. It sounds good. But will they really walk the walk when it comes to investing their money?

The Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance (opens in new tab) estimates total ESG funds under management in 2021 to be $330 billion. It's hard to measure an ESG (environmental, social and governance), or sustainable investment, portfolio against what we would call a “regular” U.S. stock portfolio, because it depends upon the mix of investments and who is doing the selection. One report (opens in new tab) found that a U.S. stock ESG portfolio had a 7.19% compound annual return in the last 15 years, while a U.S. stock portfolio had an 8.41% return over the same time period. But the point is that people appear to be walking the walk to invest in their values.

Do You Want Money to be Your Life’s Report Card?

Is more really better? I raised my kids to believe as I do, that rich means that you will never worry about being hungry or having a safe place to live, and you will also have enough to give to charity. It seems like after saying this, you should be clasping hands and singing Kumbaya. But this definition may relieve many people from looking over their shoulder to figure out what “the Joneses” are doing and always feeling like a failure. Wealth, however, is in the eye of the beholder. It is also a generational thing.

It's hard to avoid waxing philosophical when talking about being rich. My mother told me, “If you look up, you will always find people who have more, and when you look down, you will always find people with less. So, be thankful for what you have and see how you can help those who are not so lucky.”

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I guess the best piece of advice came from David Rockefeller, CEO at Chase Bank when I was a budding executive there. I was fortunate to work with him on occasion. One day, we were talking about wealth. I asked him how it felt to be one of the richest men in the world. He basically told me that it’s not about the money, it’s about the legacy you leave behind. Then he quipped, “Let’s face it, you will never see a hearse with a luggage rack.”

This article was written by and presents the views of our contributing adviser, not the Kiplinger editorial staff. You can check adviser records with the SEC (opens in new tab) or with FINRA (opens in new tab).

Are You Rich? Latest Survey Results Provide Some Clues (2024)

FAQs

What net worth is considered rich? ›

You might need $5 million to $10 million to qualify as having a very high net worth while it may take $30 million or more to be considered ultra-high net worth. That's how financial advisors typically view wealth.

What is the net worth of the top 2% of Americans? ›

Additionally, statistics show that the top 2% of the United States population has a net worth of about $2.4 million. On the other hand, the top 5% wealthiest Americans have a net worth of just over $1 million. Therefore, about 2% of the population possesses enough wealth to meet the current definition of being rich.

Is a $5 million dollar net worth good? ›

Investors with less than $1 million but more than $100,000 liquid assets are considered sub-HNWIs. Very-high-net-worth individuals have investable assets of at least $5 million, while ultra-high-net-worth individuals have at least $30 million.

What is the definition of being rich? ›

: having abundant possessions and especially material wealth. : having high value or quality.

What percentage of US population has $3 million dollars? ›

What percentage of the U.S. population has $3 million dollars? According to The Kickass Entrepreneur, there are about 5,671,000 households in the U.S. that have a net worth of $3 million or more. This represents 4.41% of all U.S. households.

How much money is considered upper class? ›

$156,600

What percentage of US population has $10 million dollars? ›

Around 1,456,336 households in America have $10 million or more in net worth. That's 1.13% of American households.

Does net worth include home? ›

Your net worth is what you own minus what you owe. It's the total value of all your assets—including your house, cars, investments and cash—minus your liabilities (things like credit card debt, student loans, and what you still owe on your mortgage).

What income is upper middle class? ›

Many have graduate degrees with educational attainment serving as the main distinguishing feature of this class. Household incomes commonly exceed $100,000, with some smaller one-income earners household having incomes in the high 5-figure range.

What net worth is rich by age? ›

Average net worth by age
Age of head of familyMedian net worthAverage net worth
35-44$91,300$436,200
45-54$168,600$833,200
55-64$212,500$1,175,900
65-74$266,400$1,217,700
2 more rows
Dec 2, 2022

Can I live off interest on a million dollars? ›

Once you have $1 million in assets, you can look seriously at living entirely off the returns of a portfolio. After all, the S&P 500 alone averages 10% returns per year. Setting aside taxes and down-year investment portfolio management, a $1 million index fund could provide $100,000 annually.

Does high net worth include 401k? ›

Do you include a 401(k) in a net worth calculation? All of your retirement accounts are included as assets in your net worth calculation. That includes 401(k)s, IRAs and taxable savings accounts.

How much money is considered broke? ›

In a survey conducted in 2019, 86% of Americans said that they were either broke or had been in the past. According to 28% of millennials, overspending on food led them to that point. In general, people considered having only $878 available either in cash or a bank account to mean they were bankrupt.

What is a truly rich life? ›

You must strive for a wealthy life in which you are succeeding in love and relationships, you are physically healthy, mentally strong, emotionally well and resilient, spiritually connected and financially abundant. Money is only one thing. It may bring riches but it doesn't bring wealth.

What qualifies you as a millionaire? ›

A net-worth millionaire is someone who has a net worth of at least $1,000,000. Net worth is a fancy way to say 'what you own minus what you owe.

What age can you retire with $3 million? ›

Is $3 million enough to retire at 65? A three million dollar annuity will provide a 65-year-old with roughly $201,900 per year for the rest of their life.

Can I retire at 50 with $3 million dollars? ›

The Bottom Line

Retiring at 50 is a great goal to have. If you have $3 million saved, it's likely that you'll be able to retire comfortably. You'll need to factor in your living expenses, inflation and the expected rate of return on your investments.

How many US citizens have a net worth of 100 million? ›

Henley Partners reports that, among the $65 trillion in total U.S. private wealth, there are 5.3 million people worth $1+ million, 9630 worth $100+ million, and 770 worth $1+ billion. This firm helps rich people get citizenship elsewhere, and their 2023 study shows a spike in Americans wanting out.

What net worth makes you upper class? ›

You might need $5 million to $10 million to qualify as having a very high net worth while it may take $30 million or more to be considered ultra-high net worth. That's how financial advisors typically view wealth.

What is the perfect salary for happiness? ›

The 2010 study found that money could only boost happiness up to a point — about $75,000 in annual earnings. Beyond that figure, the researchers concluded, money had little impact.

Is the 1% upper class? ›

The American upper class is distinguished from the rest of the population due to the fact that its primary source of income consists of assets, investments, and capital gains rather than wages and salaries. The American upper class is estimated to include 1–2% of the population.

What net worth do you need to retire? ›

“Several experts on retirement have given various estimates about how much you need to save: close to $1 million, 80% to 90% of your yearly income before quitting work, and 12 times what you used to make annually.”

How much money do you need to retire? ›

How much money do you need to retire? A good rule of thumb is to save enough to cover 80% of your pre-retirement income. You'll need to account for inflation and how it affects your purchasing power down the line. Retirement needs are highly individualized based on your desired lifestyle.

Can I retire with $10 million? ›

The simple answer is yes. You can retire on 10 million dollars. However, there are a few things to consider before making this decision. First, you need to make sure that you have enough saved up to cover your expenses.

What is the most valuable asset in life? ›

There's a reason why most successful people agree that time is their most valuable asset: Once it's gone, it's gone forever. Unlike money, you can't earn more time.

Does a pension count towards net worth? ›

Pensions are generally not included in your Net Worth, but do play an important role in retirement planning. Future income streams, such as defined benefit pension plans and social security, primarily impact your retirement planning by lowering your projected income needs in retirement.

Do you include furniture in net worth? ›

For example, if you own a house, car, furnishings, jewelry, and anything else of intrinsic value, those are your assets. Then you have to subtract everything you owe, such as mortgage payments, car loans, student loans, credit card debt, etc. The difference is your net worth.

What income puts you in the top 20%? ›

They found that the top 20% of all Americans earn over $130,000 in income. Thats over 5 times more than the bottom 20%. While that's interesting in and of itself, what even more important is that the top 20% are also receiving over 50% of all the income earned in the country.

What is a good monthly income for a family of 4? ›

(Cases Filed Between May 1, 2019 and October 31, 2019, Inclusive)
.FAMILY SIZE
STATE1 EARNER4 PEOPLE *
Arizona$52,334$80,956
Arkansas$43,585$68,341
California$57,962$96,813
51 more rows
May 1, 2019

What income is the top 1 percent? ›

In fact, the average American household earns a median income of under $70,000, but in some places, the top 1% can earn as much as $955,000. Those annual earnings can seem far out of reach in a country where less than 10% of all households earn more than $200,000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

What is a 70-year-old net worth? ›

The average net worth of Americans aged 65 to 74 hovers around $1.2 million. The median net worth is lower, at $164,000. The typical 70-year-old has around $105,000 in debt, including mortgages, home equity loans, credit cards and student loans, as measured by the Fed's data.

How much does the average 70-year-old have in savings? ›

The Federal Reserve also measures median and mean (average) savings across other types of financial assets. According to the data, the average 70-year-old has approximately: $60,000 in transaction accounts (including checking and savings) $127,000 in certificate of deposit (CD) accounts.

How rich is the top 10 percent of America? ›

A study by the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) found that the average earnings of those in the top 10% were roughly $173,000 in 2020.

What is the average 401k balance for a 65 year old? ›

Average and median 401(k) balance by age
AgeAverage Account BalanceMedian Account Balance
35-44$97,020$36,117
45-54$179,200$61,530
55-64$256,244$89,716
65+$279,997$87,725
2 more rows
Jan 20, 2023

Can I retire on $500 K plus Social Security? ›

Yes, retiring at 55 with $500,000 is feasible. An annuity can offer a lifetime guaranteed income of $24,688 per year or an initial $21,000 that increases over time to offset inflation. At 62, Social Security Benefits augment this income. Both options continue payouts even if the annuity depletes.

Can I retire at 60 with $1 million dollars? ›

So, can you retire at 60 with $1 million, and what would that look like? It's certainly possible to retire comfortably in this scenario. But it's wise to review your spending needs, taxes, health care, and other factors as you prepare for your retirement years.

What percentage of 401k are millionaires? ›

The number of 401(k) millionaires in Fidelity-managed plans is relatively small, just shy of 1.4 percent out of 21.5 million accounts. That segment peaked in 2021, at 442,000, with a median balance of $1.3 million, according to Mike Shamrell, vice president for workplace thought leadership for Fidelity.

What net worth is considered elite? ›

1. The top 1 percent typically have a household income of $400K+ and a net worth of more than $10 million. 2. Retail shopping trends show the biggest gap between the top 1 percent and the average American.

What income is too high for 401k? ›

The 401(a)(17) limits apply not only to employee contributions but also to employer contributions. Once you earn over the benefit-eligible contribution limit ($330,000 for the 2023 year), your employer is no longer able to put money into your 401(k).

What net worth is considered poor? ›

Note
QuintileDefinitionMedian Net Worth
Bottom 20%Poverty Class$6,030
Next 20%Lower-Middle Class$43,760
Middle 20%Middle Class$104,700
Next 20%Upper-Middle Class$201,800
1 more row
Dec 30, 2021

Do millionaires keep a budget? ›

Millionaires make budgets. It's the stone-cold truth! They know all the money that's coming in, and they know where all that money is going. This is one of the biggest reasons they're millionaires: They're in a committed and caring relationship with their finances!

Can you be broke but not poor? ›

A poor person can be a broke person. But often, people who call themselves “broke” aren't poor. That doesn't mean being broke isn't hard, because it is.

What is comfortably wealthy? ›

Plus, how much you'll need to move up to “wealthy.” Prepare yourself for a figure that may be startling: Americans say it takes a net worth of $774,000 to be “financially comfortable” these days. And if you want to be “wealthy,” they say you'd need more than double that, with assets worth at least $2.2 million.

What are wealthy habits? ›

Wealthy people avoid overspending by paying their future selves first. They save 20 percent of their net income and live on the remaining 80 percent. Among those who are struggling financially, almost all are living above their means. They spend more than they earn, and their debt is overwhelming them.

Are most millionaires happy? ›

Millionaires are happy, but not extremely happy.

But the results showed that millionaires were around an 8 out of 10 on their self-reported happiness. The table below shows the average happiness (out of 10) for millionaires based on their wealth bracket.

Do millionaires have cash? ›

Some millionaires keep their cash in Treasury bills. They keep rolling them over to reinvest them and liquidate them when they need the cash. Treasury bills are short-term notes issued by the U.S government to raise money and can usually get purchased at a discount.

What net worth is considered wealthy? ›

You might need $5 million to $10 million to qualify as having a very high net worth while it may take $30 million or more to be considered ultra-high net worth. That's how financial advisors typically view wealth.

What percentage of US population has $2 million dollars? ›

Additionally, statistics show that the top 2% of the United States population has a net worth of about $2.4 million. On the other hand, the top 5% wealthiest Americans have a net worth of just over $1 million. Therefore, about 2% of the population possesses enough wealth to meet the current definition of being rich.

Is a net worth of 2 million good? ›

How much money do you need to be considered rich? According to Schwab's 2022 Modern Wealth Survey, Americans believe it takes an average net worth of $2.2 million to qualify a person as being wealthy. (Net worth is the sum of your assets minus your liabilities.)

What percentile is $5 million worth? ›

How many $4 or $5 millionaires are there in the US? Somewhere around 4,473,836 households have $4 million or more in wealth, while around 3,592,054 have at least $5 million. Respectively, that is 3.48% and 2.79% of all households in America.

Is $2 million a multi millionaire? ›

Dated ways of describing someone worth n millions are "n-fold millionaire" and "millionaire n times over". Still commonly used is multimillionaire, which refers to individuals with net assets of 2 million or more of a currency.

Is a net worth of 3 million a lot? ›

Although being a millionaire sounds nice, it's not that impressive anymore thanks to inflation. In order to be a real millionaire, you will need to have a net worth of at least $3 million, not $1 million. A $1 million net worth provided a great lifestyle before 1990.

What is top 5 percent net worth? ›

Net Worth USA Percentiles – Top 1%, 5%, 10%, and 50% in Net Worth
  • The top 1% of net worth in USA in 2022 = $10,815,000.
  • The top 2% of net worth in USA in 2022 = $2,472,000.
  • The top 5% of net worth in USA in 2022 = $1,030,000.
  • The top 10% of net worth in USA in 2022 = $854,900.
Dec 29, 2021

Can I retire at 45 with $3 million dollars? ›

Retiring at age 45 with $3 million is quite feasible if you already have the money and your post-retirement income needs are not excessive. Accumulating that much money in time for such an early retirement will likely be challenging.

What is the top 1% in net worth? ›

Key Takeaways
  • As of 2019, the top 1% of household net worth in the U.S. starts at $11,099,166. ...
  • An individual would need to earn an average of $401,622 per year in order to join the top 1%, and a household would need an income of $570,00. ...
  • The median household income was $70,784 in 2021, and $45,470 for individuals.

How many US citizens have a net worth of 5 million? ›

Somewhere around 4,473,836 households have $4 million or more in wealth, while around 3,592,054 have at least $5 million. Respectively, that is 3.48% and 2.79% of all households in America.

How much is rich by age? ›

Average net worth by age
Age of head of familyMedian net worthAverage net worth
35-44$91,300$436,200
45-54$168,600$833,200
55-64$212,500$1,175,900
65-74$266,400$1,217,700
2 more rows
Dec 2, 2022

What is considered upper middle class net worth? ›

Note
QuintileDefinitionMedian Net Worth
Next 20%Lower-Middle Class$43,760
Middle 20%Middle Class$104,700
Next 20%Upper-Middle Class$201,800
Top 20%Wealthy$608,900
1 more row
Dec 30, 2021

How many Americans make over $1 million? ›

21,951,000 people in the U.S. have a net worth of $1 million or more. Among all states, New Jersey has the most millionaire households. Only 3% of American millionaires received an inheritance of $1 million or above. Real estate makes up about 40% of a typical millionaire's net worth.

How can you tell if someone is a millionaire? ›

Someone is considered a millionaire when their net worth, or their assets minus their liabilities, totals $1 million or more.

How many people retire with a million dollars? ›

In fact, statistically, around 10% of retirees have $1 million or more in savings. The majority of retirees, however, have far less saved. If you're looking to be in the minority but aren't sure how to get started on that savings goal, consider working with a financial advisor.

Can I retire at 60 with $1 million? ›

So, can you retire at 60 with $1 million, and what would that look like? It's certainly possible to retire comfortably in this scenario. But it's wise to review your spending needs, taxes, health care, and other factors as you prepare for your retirement years.

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