Net Worth Calculator 2026
Calculate your net worth — total assets minus total liabilities. Compare with US averages by age.
Assets (What You Own)
Liabilities (What You Owe)
Average Net Worth by Age (US, 2026)
| Age | Median | Mean (Average) | Top 10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 35 | $14,000 | $76,000 | $280,000 |
| 35-44 | $91,000 | $436,000 | $1,200,000 |
| 45-54 | $169,000 | $533,000 | $1,600,000 |
| 55-64 | $213,000 | $678,000 | $2,000,000 |
| 65-74 | $266,000 | $763,000 | $2,200,000 |
| 75+ | $257,000 | $635,000 | $1,900,000 |
Median vs Mean: Median is the "middle" — half above, half below. Mean is skewed up by billionaires. Use median as your benchmark.
Net Worth Milestones by Age
- Age 25: $5,000-$15,000 (building emergency fund, starting retirement savings)
- Age 30: $30,000-$60,000 (6-month emergency fund, $15-30K in retirement)
- Age 35: $75,000-$120,000 (2x salary in retirement accounts, home equity starting)
- Age 40: $150,000-$250,000 (3x salary in retirement, significant home equity)
- Age 50: $300,000-$500,000 (6x salary in retirement, investments compounding)
- Age 60: $500,000-$800,000 (8-10x salary in retirement, mortgage paid down)
How to Increase Your Net Worth
- Pay off high-interest debt first: Credit cards at 20%+ interest destroy net worth faster than anything. Every $1,000 paid off saves $200+/year.
- Automate retirement contributions: 401(k) up to employer match (free money!), then max Roth IRA ($7,000 in 2026), then back to 401(k).
- Build an emergency fund: 3-6 months expenses in a high-yield savings account (4-5% APY in 2026). This prevents debt spirals.
- Invest consistently: Dollar-cost averaging into low-cost index funds (S&P 500: ~10% average annual return). Even $200/month becomes $150K+ in 20 years.
- Buy a home strategically: Only if you plan to stay 5+ years and can afford 20% down. Home equity is the largest asset for most Americans.
- Increase income: Side hustles, career advancement, negotiation. A $10K raise invested at 7% = $200K in 30 years.
Common Net Worth Mistakes
- Counting home value but not mortgage: Your home equity = value minus mortgage. A $500K home with a $400K mortgage is $100K net worth, not $500K.
- Forgetting vehicles depreciate: Cars lose 20-30% in year one. Don't count the purchase price — use current market value (Kelley Blue Book).
- Ignoring retirement account taxes: Traditional 401(k)/IRA withdrawals are taxed. A $100K balance is worth ~$75K after taxes. Roth accounts are tax-free.
- Not tracking progress: Calculate net worth quarterly. What gets measured gets managed.
Net Worth by Percentile
Where do you stand? US net worth percentiles (all ages):
- Bottom 25%: Below $12,000 (many are negative due to student debt)
- 25th-50th: $12,000 - $122,000 (median)
- 50th-75th: $122,000 - $464,000
- 75th-90th: $464,000 - $1,200,000
- Top 10%: Above $1,200,000
- Top 1%: Above $11,000,000
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average net worth by age in the US?
Median net worth by age: Under 35: $14K; 35-44: $91K; 45-54: $169K; 55-64: $213K; 65-74: $266K; 75+: $257K. Mean (average) is much higher due to ultra-wealthy outliers. Always compare to median.
What is a good net worth at 30?
A good net worth at 30 is $30,000-$50,000. This typically includes retirement savings ($15-30K), emergency fund ($5-10K), and some investments. The median is about $14,000.
Does net worth include my house?
Yes — but only the equity (value minus mortgage). If your home is worth $400K and you owe $280K, your home equity is $120K. Don't count the full home value without subtracting the mortgage.