Calculate your exact net worth by adding all assets and subtracting all debts. Track where you stand against US median and average net worth benchmarks by age. Free 2026.
US Net Worth Benchmarks by Age (2026)
The Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finances tracks American wealth every 3 years. Median net worth by age bracket gives you a realistic benchmark — averages are skewed heavily by the top 1%.
Age Group
Median Net Worth
Average Net Worth
Under 35
~$39,000
~$183,000
35–44
~$135,000
~$549,000
45–54
~$247,000
~$975,000
55–64
~$364,000
~$1,566,000
65–74
~$410,000
~$1,794,000
The Two Net Worth Numbers That Matter
Total net worth includes everything: home equity, retirement accounts, vehicles, checking and savings. Investable net worth strips out home equity and illiquid assets — this is the number that determines your retirement security, because home equity isn’t available to fund living expenses without selling or borrowing.
Building Net Worth Systematically
The formula is simple: earn more than you spend, invest the difference. Max your 401(k) to capture employer match, then max a Roth IRA ($7,500/year in 2026). Pay off any debt above 7% APR before non-retirement investing. Use our Retirement Calculator to see what your current trajectory produces by retirement age.
Frequently Asked Questions
According to the Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finances, median net worth by age in 2026: under 35: ~$39,000; 35–44: ~$135,000; 45–54: ~$247,000; 55–64: ~$364,000; 65–74: ~$410,000; 75+: ~$335,000. Average net worth is significantly higher because wealthy outliers skew averages up. Median is the more useful benchmark — it reflects what the typical American at each age actually has.
Fidelity's benchmark: your net worth should equal roughly 3× your annual salary by age 40. On a $80,000 salary, that's $240,000. The Federal Reserve median for 35–44 year-olds is about $135,000 — so if you're at $240,000 at 40 on $80k, you're well ahead of the median. The more important number: are you on track to replace 70%–80% of your pre-retirement income? Run your specific numbers in our Retirement Calculator.
Yes — net worth is total assets minus total liabilities, and your home equity (market value minus mortgage balance) is a real asset. But track it separately from liquid/investable assets. Home equity isn't accessible without selling or borrowing, so many financial planners look at two numbers: total net worth (including home) and investable/liquid net worth (excluding home equity). Both are useful — they answer different questions.
Net worth = assets − liabilities. You can increase it by adding to assets (investing, saving) or reducing liabilities (paying down debt). The fastest legitimate moves: (1) max employer 401(k) match — instant 50%–100% return; (2) pay off high-interest debt — eliminating 22% APR credit card debt is a guaranteed 22% return; (3) avoid new consumer debt — every car loan or credit card balance directly lowers net worth. The math is simple; execution is the hard part.
By most measures, yes — but context matters. $1 million in investable assets (excluding home equity) at 4% safe withdrawal rate generates $40,000/year in retirement income. Comfortable but not extravagant in high-cost areas. $1 million in net worth puts you well above the US median at any age but below the top 10% of wealth holders (roughly $1.9M+ in 2026 per Federal Reserve data). In terms of retirement security, target 25× your annual spending — at $60,000/year expenses, that's $1.5M.
