You may think the term "net worth" only applies to celebrities and CEOs, but it's something we all have — and we all should know it.
Your net worth, calculated by the total value of your assets minus your debt, is essentially a snapshot of where you stand financially as a whole, taking into account how much you owe and the value of the things you own. You can think of it like a report card on your financial health.
And although net worth varies widely based on a person's circ*mstances, like their income, cost of living, family inheritances, housing status (renter or buyer) and educational background, knowing the net worth of someone your same age is a good benchmark to help you see where you stand compared to the average.
Here's a breakdown of both median and average American net worth by age, according to the Federal Reserve's Survey of Consumer Finances published in October 2023. Keep in mind the average figures are skewed by the most affluent households in the U.S., making the median net worth figures a better indicator of where Americans of every age actually stand.
Household net worth by age
| Age of head of family | 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, published October 2023
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Everything that goes into your net worth
As we mention above, your net worth is calculated by adding up your total assets (like earned income) and then subtracting your liabilities (such as debt).
Your assets can include anything you own that has value, like:
- Cash
- Investments
- Retirement accounts
- Property
- Jewelry
- Art
- Collectibles
Your liabilities can include any and all debt, like:
- Credit card debt
- Student loans
- Mortgages
- Auto loans
In simple terms, net worth looks at the difference between what you owe and the assets you own. A few simple ways to increase your net worth is by growing your assets through investing in the market or by saving more in a deposit account that earns a high amount of interest — the top ones are offering above 5% APY these days. UFB Secure Savings is rated by CNBC Select as one of the top high-yield savings accounts due to its very strong APY and its lack of monthly fees.
UFB Secure Savings
UFB Secure Savings is offered by Axos Bank ® , a Member FDIC.
Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
Up to 5.25%APY on any savings balance; add a UFB Freedom Checking and meet checking account qualifications to get an additional up to0.20%APY on savings
Minimum balance
$0, no minimum deposit or balance needed for savings
Fees
No monthly maintenance or service fees
Overdraft fee
Overdraft fees may be charged, according to the terms; overdraft protection available
ATM access
Free ATM card with unlimited withdrawals
Maximum transactions
6 per month; terms apply
Terms apply.
Read our UFB Secure Savings review.
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 and Mint are two platforms that make tracking your net worth easy. With either app, users can link all of their accounts, like checking, savings, money markets, CDs, investments, retirement accounts, credit card accounts and loans, giving them one place to see everything.
Empower has its own net worth calculator and Mint has a net worth-specific dashboard that calls out your progress each month.
Empower
On Empower's secure site
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
Terms apply.
Compare investing resources
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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AtCNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every personal finance article is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of personal finance products.While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics.
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Editorial Note: Opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Select editorial staff’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any third party.
