At 20, most people are just starting out: households headed by someone under 25 have a median net worth of $10,100, while the average of $112,100 is pulled up by a small number of wealthy young households. Many have a negative net worth because of student loans, so the habits you build now matter more than the number. Check your exact rank with our net worth percentile calculator.
Net Worth at 20 by Percentile
| Households Headed by Someone Aged under 25 | Net Worth |
|---|---|
| 25th percentile | $90 |
| Median | $10,100 |
| Average (mean) | $112,100 |
| 75th percentile | $32,900 |
| 90th percentile | $190,800 |
Source: Federal Reserve, 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances, public data (2022 dollars). Families grouped by the age of the household head; percentiles computed from the survey's weighted records. Based on about 111 surveyed families, so treat single-band figures as approximate.
Is Your Net Worth Good at 20?
| Net Worth | Share of Households Aged under 25 With Less | Where That Puts You |
|---|---|---|
| $10,000 | 50% | Above the median |
| $50,000 | 79% | Top 25% |
| $100,000 | 83% | Top 25% |
| $200,000 | 91% | Top 10% |
| $250,000 | 93% | Top 10% |
| $500,000 | 98% | Top 10% |
| $1,000,000 | 99% | Top 1% |
| $2,000,000 | 99% | Top 1% |
| $3,000,000 | 99% | Top 1% |
| $5,000,000 | 99% | Top 1% |
Source: Federal Reserve, 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances, public data (2022 dollars). Families grouped by the age of the household head; percentiles computed from the survey's weighted records. Share with a net worth below each amount, from about 111 surveyed families.
Early 20s: Start the Habits
Most households this young are just starting out, and many have more debt than assets because of student and car loans. The priorities are simple: avoid high-interest credit card debt, open a retirement account (a Roth IRA is often a good fit on a starting salary), and build a small emergency fund. The dollar amounts are small, but money invested now has the longest time to compound.
Compare Other Ages
- Average net worth at 25
- Average net worth by age (all ages)
- Net worth percentile by age calculator
- Net worth goals by age
Part of the net worth guide.
Sources
- Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. “Survey of Consumer Finances” (2022 public data). federalreserve.gov/econres/scfindex.htm
- Fidelity Investments. “How much do I need to retire?” fidelity.com
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