Guide · October 23, 2026
Median net worth by age: the Federal Reserve numbers
The most reliable picture of American wealth is the Federal Reserve’s Survey of Consumer Finances, run every three years. The 2022 survey (published in October 2023) gives these medians for family net worth, by the age of the head of the household:
| Age of head of household | Median net worth |
|---|---|
| Under 35 | $39,000 |
| 35 to 44 | $135,600 |
| 45 to 54 | $247,200 |
| 55 to 64 | $364,500 |
| 65 to 74 | $409,900 |
| 75 and over | $335,600 |
Source: Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Changes in U.S. Family Finances from 2019 to 2022 (Survey of Consumer Finances), Table 2.
Why the median, not the average
A small number of very wealthy families pull the average far above what a typical family has: the 2022 mean was over $1 million while the median was about $193,000. The median is the family in the middle, which is the fairer comparison.
Comparing yourself fairly
- Net worth is everything you own (home equity, savings, retirement accounts, car) minus everything you owe.
- These are household numbers. A couple should compare their combined net worth.
- Negative net worth is common under 35, usually because of student loans. It says little about where you will be at 45.
- Your own trend matters more than any one comparison. A net worth rising every year beats a high number that is flat.
Type your income, net worth and debt to see where you stand for your age, privately. Nothing is stored unless you choose to keep it. See your first score