The median American household has a net worth of about $216,100, the exact midpoint: half of households have more and half have less. It’s a far better guide to the typical family than the average, which a few very wealthy households push several times higher. Figures are our calculation from the Federal Reserve’s latest Survey of Consumer Finances.

Where the 50th Percentile Sits

Percentile Net Worth at or Above
25th $27,900
50th (median) $216,100
75th $813,000
90th (top 10%) $2,538,500
95th (top 5%) $4,937,400
99th (top 1%) $16,269,700
99.9th (top 0.1%) $63,983,000

Source: Federal Reserve, 2025 Survey of Consumer Finances, public data (2025 dollars). Families grouped by the age of the household head; percentiles computed from the survey's weighted records.

The 50th Percentile by Age

Age of Household Head 50th (median) Percentile Net Worth
Under 35 $32,800
35–44 $156,000
45–54 $254,700
55–64 $411,300
65–74 $431,900
75 and older $504,600
All households $216,100

Source: Federal Reserve, 2025 Survey of Consumer Finances, public data (2025 dollars). Families grouped by the age of the household head; percentiles computed from the survey's weighted records.

The median rises with every age group, roughly fifteenfold from households under 35 to those 75 and older. Use the net worth percentile by age calculator to compare yourself with your own age group.

What the Median Looks Like

The median is the household exactly in the middle: half have more, half have less. For a typical middle household, net worth is mostly home equity plus retirement accounts, which is why homeowners have a median net worth of $458,900 and renters just $10,600 (Federal Reserve, “Changes in U.S. Family Finances from 2022 to 2025,” October 2026, Table 2).

How to Move Up

  1. Keep contributing steadily to retirement accounts, raising the rate with each raise
  2. Build home equity if buying makes sense where you live
  3. Keep debt low relative to income
  4. Invest outside retirement accounts once tax-advantaged space is used
  5. Avoid lifestyle inflation as income grows

Part of the net worth guide.

WealthVieu
Written by WealthVieu

WealthVieu researches and writes data-driven personal finance guides using primary sources including the IRS, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federal Reserve, and Census Bureau.

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