Survey Reveals How Much Americans Need to be Considered Rich
A recent survey conducted by Charles Schwab, a renowned financial services company, shed light on the financial requirements for being considered wealthy in the United States. The findings indicate that individuals with a net worth slightly above $2 million are considered part of the upper class. However, experts suggest that this figure may vary depending on the location.
Average Net Worth of $2.2 Million Deemed Necessary for Wealthy Status
As part of the survey, finance experts delved into topics such as saving, spending, investing, and wealth. When asked about the amount of money required to be considered rich, the majority agreed that an average net worth of $2.2 million was necessary. However, further analysis revealed that this figure falls short for individuals residing in cities like New York, Denver, or Washington DC.
Some Cities Require Higher Net Worth to Attain Wealthy Status Shutterstock
According to the survey, residing in San Francisco demands a net worth of $4.7 million to be considered part of the upper class. This amount is more than double the national average. Other cities with similar requirements include:
On the other hand, the survey revealed that Houston has a lower threshold for wealth, with $2.1 million being sufficient to attain rich status.
Wealth Defined Beyond Financial Resources
Interestingly, the survey conducted by Charles Schwab encountered a paradox. Many respondents did not define wealth solely based on economic resources, but rather associated it with family and health aspects. Surprisingly, 48% of participants claimed to already feel rich, despite having an average net worth of $560,000, which represents only a quarter of the $2.2 million typically associated with wealth.
“We asked 1,000 Americans what wealth means to them and found that they don’t measure it in terms of dollars, but rather in fulfilling relationships and experiences with family and friends, good health, and even career flexibility,” stated Abel Oonnoonny, Vice President and Senior Financial Consultant for Charles Schwab.
Majority Prioritizes Non-Financial Assets Over Monetary Wealth Unsplash
The survey also revealed that a significant portion of respondents believed that non-financial assets held more value than large sums of money. 72% considered the absence of financial worries to be more precious, even if their income was low. Additionally, 70% emphasized the importance of stability in their personal and professional lives over their bank account balance. Furthermore, more than half of the participants (62%) stated that having free time was more desirable than a high income.
Modern Wealth Survey: Insights into American Perspectives
The Modern Wealth Survey, an annual study conducted since 2016, recently took place virtually from March 1 to 13. The survey involved 1,000 Americans between the ages of 21 and 75 residing in 13 metropolitan areas across the country.
