Average Net Worth by Age in 2026: Median and Mean Benchmarks

Average net worth by age in 2026 is best measured with the latest official Federal Reserve data, not social media guesses. As of April 2026, the newest full-age benchmark comes from the 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances, which shows median household net worth of $39,000 for households with a reference person under 35 and $409,900 for households ages 65 to 74. If you want the most realistic benchmark, compare yourself to the median first and the average second.

That distinction matters. The average (mean) net worth is pulled up by high-net-worth households, so it usually makes ordinary households look further behind than they really are. This guide breaks down the latest average net worth by age data, explains what the numbers actually mean, and shows how to compare your household fairly.

What Is the Average Net Worth by Age in 2026?

The latest official average net worth by age data comes from the Federal Reserve's 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances, released in late 2023. The Federal Reserve conducts the survey every three years, and as of April 2026 the 2022 survey is still the newest published full benchmark available.

Here are the latest U.S. household net worth benchmarks by age:

Age of reference person	Median net worth	Mean net worth
Under 35	$39,000	$183,500
35-44	$135,600	$549,600
45-54	$247,200	$975,800
55-64	$364,500	$1,566,900
65-74	$409,900	$1,794,600
75 or more	$335,600	$1,624,100

All figures above are household figures in 2022 dollars, straight from the Federal Reserve's Survey of Consumer Finances.

Why Is the Average Net Worth by Age So Much Higher Than the Median?

The average net worth by age is much higher than the median because wealth is unevenly distributed. A relatively small number of very wealthy households raise the average a lot.

A few quick examples from the Federal Reserve data make the point:

Under 35: the median is $39,000, but the mean is $183,500.
Ages 35 to 44: the median is $135,600, but the mean is $549,600.
Ages 55 to 64: the median is $364,500, but the mean is $1,566,900.

In other words, the average is often roughly four times the median. That is why the median is the better benchmark if your goal is to answer a practical question like, "How am I doing relative to a typical household my age?"

Use the numbers this way:

Use the median to judge where a typical household stands.
Use the mean to understand how concentrated wealth is in your age band.
Use neither as a rigid scorecard, because location, household size, pension benefits, business ownership, and housing markets all matter.

How Should You Compare Your Net Worth to Your Age Group?

The right way to compare your net worth to your age group is to compare your household number to the Federal Reserve's household benchmark for your age band.

Follow these steps:

Calculate your household net worth.
Match your household to the right age band.
Compare yourself to the median first.
Use the average only as added context.

Two details matter here:

The SCF is based on households, not individuals. If you are comparing yourself as a single adult to a married household with two incomes, the benchmark will not be perfectly apples to apples.
The survey uses age bands, not exact ages. If you are 35, for example, you fall into the 35 to 44 group rather than getting a single-age benchmark.

If you want a refresher on the formula itself, read What Is Net Worth and How to Calculate It.

What Is a Good Net Worth at 30, 40, 50, or 60?

A good net worth is not one magic number. A useful answer is whether your net worth is positive, rising, and reasonably close to the median for your age band.

Here is a practical way to think about it:

Around age 30: you are still in the under-35 group, where the median household net worth is $39,000. Many people are still paying off student loans, building emergency savings, or buying their first home, so early progress matters more than perfection.
Around age 40: the 35 to 44 median is $135,600. At this stage, retirement balances, home equity, and steady debt payoff start to matter more.
Around age 50: the 45 to 54 median is $247,200. This is usually the decade when earnings are higher, but so are family and housing costs.
Around age 60: the 55 to 64 median is $364,500. This is when retirement readiness becomes a more urgent question than pure accumulation.

If your number is below the median, that does not automatically mean you are behind. A doctor who just finished training, a family in a very high-cost city, and a business owner reinvesting heavily can all look weak on paper for a period of time. Trend matters.

How Do You Calculate Your Net Worth Correctly?

To calculate your net worth correctly, add up everything you own, subtract everything you owe, and use current market values.

The formula is:

Net Worth = Total Assets - Total Liabilities

What to include in assets:

Checking and savings accounts
Brokerage accounts
Retirement accounts such as a 401(k) or IRA
Home equity value
Cars and other property at realistic market values
Cryptocurrency, if you own it

What to include in liabilities:

Mortgage balance
Student loans
Car loans
Credit card balances
Personal loans

If you want a manual system, this guide to a net worth spreadsheet shows the exact rows and formulas to use. If you want an automated approach, this guide on how to track your net worth in 2026 walks through the process.

What Should You Do If You're Below the Average Net Worth for Your Age?

If you are below the average net worth for your age, the best move is to focus on the few habits that move net worth consistently upward.

Start here:

Increase your savings rate. A higher savings rate creates the cash you need to build assets.
Pay off high-interest debt first. Credit card debt is one of the fastest ways to stall net worth growth.
Invest consistently. Broad-market investing and retirement contributions matter more than trying to time the market.
Track your number regularly. A monthly or quarterly check-in makes it easier to spot progress and problems.
Avoid lifestyle creep. Raises help your net worth only if some of the increase turns into saving or investing.

This is also where a "surplus" mindset is helpful. Income matters, but what really grows net worth is the amount you keep after spending and debt payments. That is the part you can turn into savings, investing, or debt reduction.

Why Do Different Websites Show Different Net Worth by Age Numbers?

Different websites show different net worth by age numbers because they often use different definitions, years, and methodologies.

The biggest reasons are:

Some use the mean, while others use the median.
Some use households, while others imply they are talking about individuals.
Some use older survey years.
Some adjust for inflation, and some do not.
Some rely on private calculators or panel data instead of the Federal Reserve's Survey of Consumer Finances.

If you want the cleanest benchmark, the Federal Reserve SCF is the standard source to trust for U.S. household net worth by age.

Frequently Asked Questions About Average Net Worth by Age

What is the average net worth for a 35-year-old?

A 35-year-old falls into the 35 to 44 age band in the Federal Reserve data. In that band, the median household net worth is $135,600 and the mean is $549,600.

Is median or average net worth by age more useful?

Median net worth by age is more useful for most people because it represents the middle household. Average net worth is heavily skewed upward by wealthy households.

Does net worth include retirement accounts?

Yes. Retirement accounts such as a 401(k), IRA, and Roth IRA count as assets in your net worth calculation.

Does net worth include your home?

Yes. Your home counts as an asset, but your mortgage counts as a liability. What matters is the net effect of both.

Is it normal to have a low or negative net worth in your 20s?

Yes. Student debt, lower incomes, and fewer years of investing make low or negative net worth common early in adulthood. What matters most is that the number improves over time.

The Bottom Line on Average Net Worth by Age

The latest official average net worth by age data in 2026 still comes from the Federal Reserve's 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances. The headline numbers are useful, but the median is the benchmark most households should pay attention to.

If you want to use this data well, do three things:

Calculate your net worth accurately.
Compare yourself to the median for your age band.
Focus on improving the trend, not obsessing over one snapshot.

If you want help tracking the number consistently, compare the best net worth tracker apps in 2026 or see how to track your net worth automatically.