Tools Net Worth Check
Is your net worth on track for your age and income?
Your net worth is everything you own minus everything you owe. This check compares it with a well-known rule of thumb for your age and income, and with typical U.S. households your age, then tells you what to focus on next. It takes about a minute.
Your result
Under 30? This rule of thumb assumes years of earning behind you, so it runs harsh early in a career. Your savings rate and debt trend matter more than this ratio right now.
Owned vs owed
What to focus on next
How this check works
The “expected net worth” comes from The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas Stanley and William Danko, who studied how ordinary earners become wealthy:
Expected net worth = age × yearly income ÷ 10
A 40-year-old household earning $90,000 has an expected net worth of $360,000. Being under half of that puts you in Building, between half and double is On track, and double or more is Ahead.
It’s a rough yardstick, not a grade. It doesn’t know about cost of living, inheritances, career breaks, or a big recent move, and it is tough on young and high-earning people. That’s why we also show the U.S. median for your age (Federal Reserve, 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances, rounded). To see exactly where your net worth ranks among U.S. households and people your age, use the Net Worth Percentile Calculator.
Money is also only one dimension of a rich life. For the full picture, build your Wealth Score across all eight dimensions.
Words you’ll see
- Net worth
- Everything you own (assets) minus everything you owe (liabilities). It’s a snapshot, so track it every few months rather than obsessing over one number.
- Assets
- Things with money value you could sell or draw on: savings, retirement and investment accounts, home equity, a car.
- Liabilities
- Debts: mortgage, student loans, car loans, credit cards, and anything else you have to pay back.
- Savings rate
- The share of your income you keep instead of spend. It’s the single biggest lever for growing net worth.
- Median
- The middle value: half of households have more, half have less. Unlike an average, a few billionaires don’t distort it.
Common questions
What is a good net worth for my age?
A common yardstick from The Millionaire Next Door is your age times your yearly pre-tax household income, divided by 10. At 40 on a $90,000 income, that is $360,000. This calculator calls anything from half to double that amount on track, and double or more ahead.
What is the median net worth by age in the U.S.?
According to the Federal Reserve's 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances, median household net worth is about $39,000 under 35, $135,600 at 35 to 44, $247,200 at 45 to 54, $364,500 at 55 to 64, $410,000 at 65 to 74 and $335,000 at 75 and older. Half of households have more and half have less.
How do I calculate my net worth?
Add up everything you own, such as cash, retirement accounts, investments, your home's value and your car, then subtract everything you owe, such as your mortgage, student loans, car loans and credit cards. What is left is your net worth, and it can be negative if you owe more than you own.
Is it normal to have a negative net worth in your 20s?
Yes. It is common early in a career, especially with student loans, because debt arrives before years of saving and investing. The age-times-income rule is harsh before 30, so focus on your savings rate and on paying debt down rather than on the ratio.
Sources
- The Millionaire Next Door, Thomas J. Stanley and William D. Danko, 1996 (book)
- Changes in U.S. Family Finances from 2019 to 2022: Evidence from the Survey of Consumer Finances, Federal Reserve Board, 2023
This tool is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not financial, tax, or legal advice. Consult a qualified professional for guidance specific to your situation.