Goldman Sachs Survey Finds 41% of $300k–$500k Earners Live Paycheck to Paycheck
Goldman Sachs survey found 41% of households earning $300,000–$500,000 and 40% of those earning over $500,000 report living paycheck to paycheck, compared with 36% of $50,000–$100,000 earners and just 16% of $200,000–$300,000 households. The data highlight spending pressures among top earners.
1. Key Survey Findings
Goldman Sachs conducted a survey across income brackets and discovered that 41% of households earning $300,000–$500,000 and 40% earning over $500,000 reported living paycheck to paycheck. In comparison, 36% of $50,000–$100,000 earners and 57% of those under $50,000 felt the same, while the $200,000–$300,000 cohort had the lowest rate at 16%.
2. Spending Pressures and Goal Progress
The survey defines living paycheck to paycheck as struggling to advance on long-term financial goals, suggesting that higher income alone doesn’t ensure financial stability. Households in the $200,000–$300,000 range were most likely to report progress on both short- and long-term goals, highlighting the role of spending habits and saving strategies among top earners.