Calculate your total net worth by adding up all your assets and subtracting all your liabilities. See how you compare to US averages by age — and get a clear picture of your financial health.
Average net worth by generation — median is more representative than mean
Use our compound interest calculator to project how your net worth will grow over time with consistent investing and saving.
Open Growth Calculator →Net worth is the single most comprehensive snapshot of your financial health. The formula is simple: Net Worth = Total Assets − Total Liabilities. A positive net worth means you own more than you owe. A negative net worth (common for young adults with student loans) is not a crisis — it simply means your current priority should be debt reduction.
Checking accounts, savings accounts (including HYSAs), money market accounts, and cash. These are your most accessible assets and form the foundation of your emergency fund. List current balances, not target balances.
401k, Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, 403b, 529 college savings plans, and taxable brokerage accounts. Use the current account value — not your contributions or a target amount. For 401k and Traditional IRA, note that the value is pre-tax; actual spendable value is lower (typically 20–30% less after taxes).
Include the current market value of your home (not the purchase price) minus the outstanding mortgage balance — this is your home equity. Use a realistic estimate from Zillow or a recent comparable sale, not an optimistic number. Rental properties: use current market value minus any mortgages.
Use current resale value for vehicles (check Kelley Blue Book), not the purchase price. Cars depreciate rapidly — a $40,000 car bought two years ago is likely worth $28,000–$32,000 today. Other includable assets: business ownership value, cash value of whole life insurance policies, precious metals, and cryptocurrency (at current market value).
Liabilities are all money you owe: mortgage balance(s), home equity loan or HELOC balance, auto loan balances, student loan balances (federal and private), credit card balances, personal loan balances, medical debt, and any other outstanding obligations. Use current outstanding balances — not original loan amounts.
The Federal Reserve's Survey of Consumer Finances provides detailed net worth data. Key medians by age: Under 35: $39,000. Ages 35–44: $135,000. Ages 45–54: $247,000. Ages 55–64: $373,000. Ages 65–74: $410,000. The "average" (mean) figures are much higher because wealthy households significantly skew the averages upward. The median is the better benchmark — it represents the person at the exact middle of the distribution.
A popular rule of thumb: your net worth at age 30 should be about 0.5x your annual salary; at 40, 2x; at 50, 4x; at 60, 6x. These are rough targets — individual circumstances vary enormously based on income level, geographic location, and life choices like homeownership timing.
The two levers are growing assets and reducing liabilities. The most impactful actions: (1) Eliminate high-interest credit card debt — paying 20–29% interest makes wealth building nearly impossible. (2) Maximize employer 401k match — a 100% return on contributions before investment growth. (3) Build home equity through mortgage payments. (4) Invest consistently in low-cost index funds. (5) Avoid lifestyle inflation — as income rises, channel raises into investments rather than spending. Track your net worth annually to measure progress and stay motivated.
Net worth = Total assets minus total liabilities. Assets: cash, savings, investments (401k, IRA, brokerage), home equity (home value minus mortgage), vehicles (resale value). Liabilities: mortgage balance, auto loans, student loans, credit card debt. Track annually to measure financial progress.
Federal Reserve medians: Under 35: $39K. Ages 35–44: $135K. Ages 45–54: $247K. Ages 55–64: $373K. Ages 65–74: $410K. Use median, not mean — wealthy households skew mean figures dramatically upward. Compare yourself to the median for a more realistic benchmark.
Include: checking/savings/money market, all investment accounts (401k, IRA, brokerage, 529), home equity (market value minus mortgage), vehicle resale values, business ownership value, and cash value of whole life insurance. Exclude furniture, clothing, and personal electronics — they're illiquid and difficult to value.
Two levers: grow assets and cut liabilities. Priority order: (1) Eliminate high-interest credit card debt. (2) Maximize 401k employer match. (3) Build an emergency fund. (4) Invest consistently in index funds. (5) Pay down mortgage ahead of schedule. Avoid lifestyle inflation as income rises — channel salary increases into investments instead of spending.