Net Worth by Age: Where Do You Stand in 2026?

One of the most common questions people ask when they start tracking their finances is: "Am I doing okay compared to everyone else?"

While comparison isn't everything, understanding net worth benchmarks by age can help you set realistic goals and identify areas for improvement. Let's break down the numbers.

What Counts as Net Worth?

Your net worth is simple: everything you own minus everything you owe.

Assets include your home equity, retirement accounts (401k, IRA), savings, investments, vehicles, crypto, and other valuables. Liabilities include your mortgage balance, student loans, car loans, credit card debt, and any other money you owe.

Average vs. Median: Why It Matters

You'll see two numbers for each age group: average and median. The average gets skewed by ultra-wealthy outliers — a single billionaire in the room makes the "average" meaningless. The median (the middle point where half are above and half below) gives you a much better picture of where most people actually stand.

Net Worth Benchmarks by Age Group (2026)

Under 35

• Median net worth: ~$39,000
• Average net worth: ~$183,000

If you're in your 20s or early 30s, don't panic if your net worth is low or even negative. Student loans, entry-level salaries, and building your career are all normal at this stage. The key is starting to track and build good habits now.

Ages 35–44

• Median net worth: ~$135,000
• Average net worth: ~$549,000

This is often when net worth starts accelerating. Career earnings increase, home equity builds, and retirement contributions compound. If you're behind, this is the decade where intentional action makes the biggest difference.

Ages 45–54

• Median net worth: ~$247,000
• Average net worth: ~$975,000

Peak earning years. Many people in this range have significant home equity and growing retirement accounts. This is also when the gap between those who invested early and those who didn't becomes very visible.

Ages 55–64

• Median net worth: ~$364,000
• Average net worth: ~$1,175,000

The final stretch before retirement. If your net worth feels low relative to these numbers, focus on maximizing catch-up contributions to retirement accounts ($7,500 extra per year for 401k if you're 50+).

65–74

• Median net worth: ~$410,000
• Average net worth: ~$1,217,000

Many retirees in this bracket are drawing down savings while Social Security and pensions provide income. Net worth may plateau or slowly decrease — and that's okay. The goal is having enough to sustain your lifestyle.

75+

• Median net worth: ~$335,000
• Average net worth: ~$977,000

Net worth typically declines as retirees spend down their savings. Healthcare costs can be a significant factor at this stage.

Don't Compare — Use It as a Compass

These numbers come from the Federal Reserve's Survey of Consumer Finances and are adjusted for 2026. They're useful as directional guidance, not as a scorecard.

Here's what actually matters:

1. Are you trending in the right direction? Even if you're below the median, consistent growth matters more than where you start.
2. Do you have a plan? Knowing your number is step one. Having a strategy to grow it is step two.
3. Are you tracking regularly? People who monitor their net worth tend to make better financial decisions — it's the awareness effect.

How to Get Started

The easiest way to know where you stand is to actually calculate your net worth. It takes about 5 minutes:

1. List all your assets and their current values
2. List all your debts and balances
3. Subtract debts from assets

Try our free net worth calculator to crunch the numbers instantly. Or skip the spreadsheet entirely — Nova connects to your bank accounts and calculates everything automatically, with AI-powered insights to help you grow.

The Bottom Line

Whether you're 25 with student loans or 55 planning for retirement, knowing your net worth is the foundation of financial health. The benchmarks above give you context, but your personal trajectory is what really matters.

Start tracking today. Future you will thank you.

Keep Reading

• Net Worth Milestones: From $0 to $1M
• How to Calculate Your Net Worth in 5 Minutes
• 5 Financial Habits That Build Wealth Over Time