Americans View $2.3M Net Worth as Wealth and $839K as Comfortable
SCHW•Charles Schwab's 2025 Modern Wealth Survey shows Americans consider a net worth of $2.3 million to be wealthy and view $839,000 as financially comfortable. The survey reveals top 1% AGI thresholds range from $384,000 in West Virginia to $992,000 in Washington, D.C., highlighting state disparities.
1. Survey Overview
Charles Schwab’s 2025 Modern Wealth Survey collected nationwide responses on the net worth and income levels Americans believe are required for wealth and financial comfort, covering perceptions of security beyond annual earnings.
2. Wealth Versus Income
The survey highlights that net worth and debt load provide a clearer picture of financial health than income alone, noting that high earners can be less secure if carrying significant liabilities.
3. State-by-State Income Thresholds
Adjusted gross income needed to enter the top 1% varies widely, from $384,000 in West Virginia to $992,000 in Washington, D.C., reflecting regional cost-of-living and earning disparities.
4. Implications for Schwab
Insights from the survey may guide Schwab’s product development and marketing strategies by aligning investment, debt-management, and retirement services with evolving client definitions of wealth and comfort.
