Net Worth at 40: What's Typical, and What's a Good Number?
The short answer: the median net worth for U.S. households headed by someone aged 35–44 is about $135,600, according to the Federal Reserve’s 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances. Whether that is a good number for you at 40 depends on your income: the classic rule of thumb puts a 40-year-old earning $60,000 at about $240,000.
Median net worth around age 40
| Age of head of household | Median net worth (2022) |
|---|---|
| Under 35 | $39,000 |
| 35–44 | $135,600 |
| 45–54 | $247,200 |
| 55–64 | $364,500 |
| 65–74 | $410,000 |
| 75 and older | $335,000 |
Source: Federal Reserve, Survey of Consumer Finances, 2022 (rounded). Figures are per household, not per person. Your age group is in bold.
The median is the household in the middle: half have more, half have less. Averages for the same groups are much higher, because a small number of very wealthy households pull them up, so the median is the better yardstick for “typical”.
What is a good net worth at 40?
Two rules of thumb scale with income. The Millionaire Next Door suggests an expected net worth of age × yearly pre-tax income ÷ 10. Fidelity suggests a retirement savings target as a multiple of salary; joined in a straight line between its milestones (starting from zero at 22), that is about 3× your salary at 40.
| Yearly income | Expected net worth (age × income ÷ 10) | Retirement savings target (3× salary) |
|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $160,000 | $120,000 |
| $60,000 | $240,000 | $180,000 |
| $80,000 | $320,000 | $240,000 |
| $100,000 | $400,000 | $300,000 |
| $150,000 | $600,000 | $450,000 |
The expected net worth counts everything you own minus everything you owe. The retirement target counts retirement savings only, not home equity.
If you are at or above the median for your age and close to one of these yardsticks, you are in good shape. If not, a net worth that rises every year is a strong sign at any age.
What to focus on at 40
For many people the forties are the peak earning years, and also the years of peak spending on housing and children. Keeping your savings rate steady while income rises is what separates households that pull ahead from those that stall.
Net worth at other ages
Age 25 · Age 30 · Age 35 · 40 · Age 45 · Age 50 · Age 55 · Age 60 · Age 65
For the full table, why the average misleads, and why a low number can still be fine, read Net Worth by Age.
Common questions
What is the median net worth at 40?
The median net worth for U.S. households headed by someone aged 35 to 44 is about $135,600, according to the Federal Reserve's 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances. Half of households in that age group have more and half have less.
What is a good net worth at 40?
A common rule of thumb from The Millionaire Next Door is age times yearly pre-tax income divided by 10. At 40 with a $60,000 income, that is about $240,000; at $100,000, about $400,000.
How much should I have saved for retirement at 40?
Fidelity's milestones are 1 times your salary by 30, 3 times by 40, 6 times by 50, 8 times by 60 and 10 times by 67. At 40 that points to about 3 times your salary, or $180,000 on a $60,000 salary.
Sources
- Changes in U.S. Family Finances from 2019 to 2022: Evidence from the Survey of Consumer Finances — Federal Reserve Board, 2023
- The Millionaire Next Door — Thomas J. Stanley and William D. Danko, 1996 (book)
- How much do I need to retire? — Fidelity
This guide is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not financial, medical, legal, or tax advice. Consult a qualified professional for guidance specific to your situation.
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