You might believe the term “net worth” just uses to celebs and CEOs, however it’s something all of us have– and all of us must understand it.
Your net worth, determined by the overall worth of your possessions minus your financial obligation, is basically a photo of where you stand economically as an entire, considering just how much you owe and the worth of the important things you own. You can think about it like a progress report on your monetary health.
And although net worth differs extensively based upon an individual’s situations, like their earnings, expense of living, household inheritances, real estate status (occupant or purchaser) and academic background, understanding the net worth of somebody your exact same age is an excellent criteria to assist you see where you stand compared to the average.
Here’s a breakdown of both typical and average American net worth by age, according to the Federal Reserve’s Survey of Consumer Finances released in October2023 Keep in mind the typical figures are altered by the most upscale families in the U.S., making the typical net worth figures a much better indication of where Americans at every age in fact stand.
Household net worth by age
Age of head of household | Median net worth | Average net worth |
---|---|---|
Less than 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+ | $335,600 | $ 1,624,100 |
Source: The Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finances, released October 2023
Everything that enters into your net worth
As we point out above, your net worth is determined by building up your overall possessions (like made earnings) and after that deducting your liabilities (such as financial obligation).
Your possessions can consist of anything you own that has worth, like:
- Cash
- Investments
- Retirement accounts
- Property
- Jewelry
- Art
- Collectibles
Your liabilities can consist of any and all financial obligation, like:
- Credit card financial obligation
- Student loans
- Mortgages
- Auto loans
In basic terms, net worth takes a look at the distinction in between what you owe and the possessions you own. A couple of basic methods to increase your net worth is by growing your possessions through investing in the market or by saving more in a deposit account that earns a high amount of interest.
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How to track your net worth
It’s normal for your net worth to change over time as you borrow and pay off debt, accrue assets and grow your investments.
Over time, you can make it part of your financial routine to check in on this number. Doing so can help clarify your priorities — should you borrow money right now to pursue more education? Is now the time to buy a home? Knowing your net worth can help you assess whether your next financial move is a good one.
Empower has its own net worth calculator and Mint has a net worth-specific dashboard that calls out your progress each month.
Empower
Cost
App is free, but users have option to add investment management services for 0.89% of their money (for accounts under $1 million)
Standout features
A budgeting app and investment tool that tracks both your spending and your wealth
Categorizes your expenses
Yes, but users can modify
Links to accounts
Yes, bank and credit cards, as well as IRAs, 401(k)s, mortgages and loans
Availability
Offered in both the App Store (for iOS) and on Google Play (for Android)
Security features
Data encryption, fraud protection and strong user authentication
Bottom line
Your net worth, like your credit score, is an important number you should track in order to have a clear picture of your financial health. Keep an eye on yours as you pay off debt, borrow more money or grow your cash.
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Editorial Note: Opinions, analyses, evaluations or suggestions revealed in this post are those of the Select editorial personnel’s alone, and have actually not been evaluated, authorized or otherwise backed by any 3rd party.