Average Net Worth by Age in Canada (2026)

By Wealthvieu · Updated

The median Canadian family has a net worth of approximately $330,000 — but this varies enormously by age. Here’s where Canadians stand at every stage of life.

Table of Contents

Average and Median Net Worth by Age

Age Group Median Net Worth Average Net Worth Ratio (Avg/Median)
Under 25 $12,000 $48,000 4.0x
25-34 $65,000 $175,000 2.7x
35-44 $235,000 $520,000 2.2x
45-54 $420,000 $860,000 2.0x
55-64 $590,000 $1,175,000 2.0x
65+ $625,000 $1,225,000 2.0x
All Ages $330,000 $720,000 2.2x

The average is pulled up by high-net-worth households. The median (50th percentile) is a better benchmark for typical Canadians.

Net Worth Percentiles by Age

Ages 25-34

Percentile Net Worth What It Means
10th -$15,000 More debt than assets
25th $8,000 Just starting to build
50th (Median) $65,000 Typical for this age
75th $195,000 Ahead of most peers
90th $450,000 Significantly ahead

Ages 35-44

Percentile Net Worth What It Means
10th $5,000 Minimal savings
25th $80,000 Below typical
50th (Median) $235,000 On track
75th $550,000 Strong position
90th $1,100,000 Millionaire territory

Ages 45-54

Percentile Net Worth What It Means
10th $18,000 Falling behind
25th $145,000 Needs attention
50th (Median) $420,000 Typical
75th $850,000 Well-positioned
90th $1,700,000 Top decile

Ages 55-64

Percentile Net Worth What It Means
10th $30,000 Retirement risk
25th $210,000 Limited retirement funds
50th (Median) $590,000 Nearing target
75th $1,150,000 Comfortable retirement
90th $2,500,000 Wealthy

What Makes Up Canadian Net Worth

Asset Breakdown (Median Household)

Asset Value % of Total Assets
Principal residence $450,000 52%
Employer pension (DB/DC) $120,000 14%
RRSPs $75,000 9%
TFSAs $40,000 5%
Other financial assets $55,000 6%
Vehicles $25,000 3%
Other real estate $30,000 3%
Other non-financial assets $70,000 8%
Total Assets $865,000 100%

Debt Breakdown

Debt Average Amount % of Households With This Debt
Mortgage (principal residence) $285,000 40%
Home equity line of credit (HELOC) $45,000 18%
Vehicle loans $22,000 28%
Student loans $15,000 12%
Credit card debt $4,500 38%
Other debts $8,000 15%
Total (median, with mortgage) $320,000 —
Total (median, without mortgage) $25,000 —

Homeowners vs Renters

Metric Homeowners Renters
Median net worth $580,000 $30,000
Average net worth $1,050,000 $120,000
Homeownership rate 66% 34%
Median age 52 38

Homeowners have nearly 20 times the median net worth of renters — largely because housing equity is the single biggest Canadian asset.

Net Worth by Province

Province Median Family Net Worth Homeownership Rate
British Columbia $440,000 67%
Ontario $410,000 69%
Alberta $360,000 71%
Quebec $280,000 61%
Saskatchewan $310,000 72%
Manitoba $285,000 68%
Nova Scotia $250,000 65%
New Brunswick $215,000 73%
Prince Edward Island $225,000 70%
Newfoundland & Labrador $195,000 76%

BC and Ontario lead due to high real estate values, while Atlantic provinces trail despite higher homeownership rates.

Net Worth by Education

Highest Education Median Net Worth Average Net Worth
Less than high school $115,000 $285,000
High school diploma $210,000 $450,000
College/trades $290,000 $580,000
Bachelor’s degree $420,000 $850,000
Graduate/professional degree $560,000 $1,250,000

A university degree is associated with approximately double the median net worth of a high school diploma.

Net Worth Benchmarks by Age

How to know if you’re on track:

Age Behind On Track Ahead Excellent
25 <$0 $10,000-30,000 $30,000-80,000 $80,000+
30 <$10,000 $30,000-75,000 $75,000-175,000 $175,000+
35 <$50,000 $75,000-175,000 $175,000-400,000 $400,000+
40 <$100,000 $175,000-350,000 $350,000-700,000 $700,000+
45 <$150,000 $250,000-500,000 $500,000-1,000,000 $1M+
50 <$200,000 $350,000-650,000 $650,000-1,300,000 $1.3M+
55 <$250,000 $450,000-800,000 $800,000-1,600,000 $1.6M+
60 <$300,000 $500,000-1,000,000 $1,000,000-2,000,000 $2M+

“On track” assumes retirement at 65 with a moderate lifestyle funded by investments + CPP + OAS.

How to Build Net Worth in Canada

Tax-Advantaged Accounts

Account 2026 Limit Tax Benefit Best For
TFSA $7,000/year Tax-free growth and withdrawals Flexible savings and investing
RRSP 18% of income (max $32,490) Tax-deductible contribution, taxed on withdrawal Retirement savings, high-income earners
FHSA $8,000/year (max $40,000) Tax-deductible + tax-free withdrawal for home First-time home buyers
RESP $50,000 lifetime per child CESG grants (20% match up to $500/year) Children’s education

Net Worth Building Timeline

Age Priority Actions
20s Build emergency fund, max TFSA, start RRSP with employer match, pay off high-interest debt
30s Maximize RRSP, consider FHSA if buying, invest consistently, avoid lifestyle inflation
40s Accelerate mortgage repayment, max out TFSA + RRSP, begin RESP for children
50s Catch-up contributions, reduce risk in portfolio, plan retirement income strategy
60+ Optimize CPP/OAS timing, RRSP→RRIF transition, draw from most tax-efficient sources

Key Takeaways

  1. Median Canadian net worth is $330,000 — use median not average for a realistic benchmark
  2. Homeownership drives the gap: Homeowners have 20x the median net worth of renters ($580K vs $30K)
  3. The biggest asset for most Canadians is their principal residence (52% of total assets)
  4. BC and Ontario lead in net worth due to real estate values, not higher savings rates
  5. 25th percentile at age 35 is $80,000 — if you’re below this, focus on aggressive saving
  6. A university degree is associated with double the median net worth of a high school diploma
  7. Tax-advantaged accounts (TFSA, RRSP, FHSA, RESP) are the most powerful tools for building wealth in Canada