Net Worth Calculator
Calculate your total wealth by adding up what you own and subtracting what you owe. Includes age-based comparison to Federal Reserve median data so you can see how you stack up against typical US households for your age group.
Last updated: April 2026 · Source: Federal Reserve SCF 2022 (next update due late 2026)
Median US net worth by age
The Federal Reserve\'s Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF) is the gold standard dataset for US household wealth. The 2022 survey was released in October 2023 and remains the most recent comprehensive data available. The next update is due in late 2026. Net worth typically builds through working years and peaks in the late 60s before declining as retirees draw down assets.
| Age group | Median net worth | Mean (average) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 35 | ~$39,000 | ~$183,000 | Building phase; often negative due to student loans |
| 35-44 | $135,600 | ~$549,600 | Home equity + early retirement contributions |
| 45-54 | ~$247,200 | ~$975,800 | Peak earning years, mortgage paydown accelerates |
| 55-64 | $364,500 | ~$1,566,900 | Approaching retirement, catch-up contributions |
| 65-74 | $409,900 (peak) | ~$1,794,600 | Highest median in the dataset |
| 75+ | ~$335,600 | ~$1,624,100 | Decline from drawdowns and healthcare costs |
Source: Federal Reserve 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances. Median is the more useful benchmark — the mean is skewed upward by very wealthy households. The jump from 35-44 to 55-64 (roughly 2.7x) shows the power of compound growth during peak earning years.
Percentile thresholds (all ages)
| Percentile | Net worth threshold | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 25th | $27,100 | Bottom quarter of US households |
| 50th (median) | $192,700 | Typical US household |
| 75th | $658,900 | Solidly upper-middle class |
| 90th | $1,920,758 | Top 10% — controls 69% of US wealth |
| 99th | ~$14,000,000 | Top 1% |
Source: Federal Reserve SCF 2022. Top 10% threshold and wealth concentration data via Fed Distributional Financial Accounts Q2 2025.
Frequently asked questions
What is net worth?
Net worth is the total value of everything you own (assets) minus everything you owe (liabilities). Assets include cash, checking and savings accounts, retirement accounts, brokerage investments, real estate, vehicles, and other valuable property. Liabilities include mortgages, student loans, auto loans, credit card debt, and any other money you owe. The math is simple: Net Worth = Total Assets - Total Liabilities. A positive number means you own more than you owe; a negative number means the opposite.
What is the median US net worth?
The median US household net worth is $192,700 according to the Federal Reserve's 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances (the most recent data, released October 2023). The median rose 61% from $120,000 in 2016, driven largely by home appreciation and stock market gains during 2019-2022. The mean (average) is much higher at $1,063,700 — but the mean is skewed upward by very wealthy households. The median is the number half of households fall above and half below, making it the more useful benchmark for most people.
What is a good net worth by age?
According to the Federal Reserve SCF 2022 medians: under age 35 around $39,000, ages 35-44 $135,600, ages 45-54 around $247,200, ages 55-64 $364,500, ages 65-74 $409,900 (the peak), and 75+ around $335,600. Net worth typically builds throughout your working years and peaks around retirement, then declines slightly as retirees draw down savings. Being at or above the median for your age is a solid marker; being in the top 25% of your age group generally means consistent saving, homeownership, and regular retirement contributions.
How often should I calculate my net worth?
Monthly or quarterly is ideal. More frequently than that and you will react to normal market fluctuations (investments move up and down daily). Less frequently and you lose the feedback loop that catches trends early. Many people calculate it on the first of each month as part of a routine financial check-in. The act of tracking itself tends to improve financial behavior — awareness drives action.
What is a good debt-to-asset ratio?
Under 30% is considered healthy. 30-50% is manageable if the debt is productive (mortgage on an appreciating home, education loans that increased earning power). Above 50% is concerning and suggests high leverage. A debt-to-asset ratio of 100% or more means liabilities exceed assets — you have negative net worth. Young adults often have high ratios due to student loans; this is normal and usually improves dramatically in your 30s and 40s as you build assets and pay down debt.
Should I include my car in net worth?
Yes, at its current market value (not purchase price). Use Kelley Blue Book or Edmunds for an accurate estimate. Cars are depreciating assets — a $40,000 car purchased new loses about 20% in the first year and 50% by year 5. Including vehicles gives a complete picture, but do not count them as a "savings" vehicle since they reliably lose value. A paid-off car is still worth something, but it is worth less every year.
Should I include my home at purchase price or current value?
Current market value, not purchase price. Use Zillow's Zestimate, Redfin's estimate, or a recent comparable sales check. If you bought for $250,000 and the home is now worth $400,000, the $400,000 is your asset — the $150,000 appreciation is real wealth. Subtract the mortgage balance (which is your liability) to get your home equity contribution to net worth. Home equity typically makes up the largest portion of median-household net worth.
What does it mean to have negative net worth?
Negative net worth means you owe more than you own. It is most common for young adults with student loans who have not yet built significant assets. A new graduate with $50,000 in student loans, $5,000 in savings, and a $15,000 car on a $12,000 loan has a net worth of -$42,000 ($20,000 assets - $62,000 liabilities). This is not a crisis — it is a starting point. Focus on paying down high-interest debt first, building an emergency fund, and contributing to employer retirement match. Most people cross into positive net worth in their late 20s to early 30s.
Does net worth include retirement accounts?
Yes. Your 401(k), IRA, Roth IRA, 403(b), 457, and pension present values are all assets that count toward net worth. For defined-benefit pensions (traditional pensions), the calculation is complex — use the lump sum equivalent or commuted value provided by the plan. Social Security is NOT typically included in net worth because it is not a transferable asset (you cannot sell or bequeath it). Some analysts include the present value of Social Security as a separate "retirement security" line, but traditional net worth excludes it.
How do I grow my net worth?
The math is simple: increase assets, decrease liabilities. Practically: save 15-20% of your gross income, invest it in low-cost index funds through tax-advantaged accounts (401k, IRA, HSA), avoid lifestyle inflation as your income grows, pay down high-interest debt aggressively, build equity through homeownership if you plan to stay put 7+ years, avoid depreciating purchases on credit. Time does most of the work — compound growth over 20-30 years is the primary mechanism. Starting early matters more than any other factor.
What is the top 10% net worth?
The top 10% of US households have a net worth of approximately $1,920,758 or more (Federal Reserve SCF 2022). The top 1% starts around $14 million. These top-10% households control roughly 69% of all US wealth — two-thirds of the nation's net worth held by roughly 13 million households out of 131 million total. Crossing into the top 10% is achievable for dual-income professionals through consistent saving, homeownership in an appreciating area, and regular investing over a career. The top 1% is typically the realm of business owners, investors, and the inheritors.
Is $1 million net worth rich?
It depends on age and context. At age 30, $1M in net worth puts you well above the 95th percentile for your age group — extraordinarily wealthy for that life stage. At age 65, $1M is above the median ($409,900 for ages 65-74) but below what many financial planners recommend for retirement (typically $1.5-2M+ for full income replacement). Inflation also matters: $1M today is worth roughly what $500,000 was in 2000. About 18% of US households have net worth of $1M+, making "millionaire" status more common than popular culture suggests.
Data sources: Federal Reserve 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances (released October 2023); Federal Reserve Distributional Financial Accounts Q2 2025 for wealth concentration; Schwab 2025 Modern Wealth Survey for sentiment benchmarks.
Last updated: April 2026. The 2022 SCF is the most recent comprehensive data. The next SCF update is expected in late 2026 and will likely show higher medians due to continued home and stock appreciation.
Disclaimer: Percentile estimates are approximations based on SCF 2022 microdata and may differ from your specific demographic group. For personalized financial planning, consult a qualified financial advisor.