What is the net worth needed to be considered wealthy in the U.S. in 2025?

According to the Charles Schwab survey, the net worth needed to be considered wealthy in the U.S. in 2025 is $2.3 million.

Why do many Americans feel it's harder to reach the wealth benchmark in 2025?

The survey found that inflation, high interest rates, and broader economic uncertainty were the most commonly cited reasons making it harder for Americans to reach the $2.3 million wealth benchmark in 2025.

How do Americans define wealth beyond just net worth?

The survey revealed that 45% of Americans define wealth in terms of happiness, nearly equal to the 44% who cited the amount of money they have. Others also cited physical and mental health, strong relationships, and free time as important aspects of being wealthy.

Home / Business and Economy / Wealth Benchmark Drops, But Americans Still Struggle to Reach It

Wealth Benchmark Drops, But Americans Still Struggle to Reach It

9 Aug

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Summary

Net worth of $2.3M needed to be considered wealthy in 2025
Inflation, high interest rates make it harder to reach wealth benchmark
Many Americans define wealth in non-financial terms like happiness, relationships

Wealth Benchmark Drops, But Americans Still Struggle to Reach It

According to the latest Modern Wealth Survey by Charles Schwab, the benchmark for being considered wealthy in the U.S. has decreased from $2.5 million in 2024 to $2.3 million in 2025. However, nearly two-thirds of the 2,000 adults polled between April and May 2025 say it feels harder to reach this level of wealth.

The primary reasons cited for this difficulty are the ongoing impacts of inflation, high interest rates, and broader economic uncertainty. These factors have made it increasingly challenging for Americans to accumulate the necessary net worth to be deemed financially wealthy.

Interestingly, the survey also reveals that many Americans have a more holistic view of what it means to be rich. While 44% define wealth in terms of the amount of money they have, 45% say happiness is the key factor. Others cite physical and mental health, strong relationships, and free time as important aspects of being wealthy.

This broader perspective helps explain why around 4 in 5 respondents already feel wealthy when it comes to their relationships, happiness, and free time, even if their net worth falls short of the $2.3 million benchmark.

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