Net Worth

How are the Joneses doing? Social creatures that we are, it’s hard to know whether to feel good or bad about our bank accounts unless we know how much our neighbors have. Here are Census Bureau figures for average and median net worths for American households at different age and income levels. The median is the level at which half the households are above and half below. These figures, compiled in 1988, include houses and cars but not home furnishings or jewelry. They also exclude pension assets and cash value of life insurance policies.

Median monthly income by age 65 and Over: $1,211 55-64: $2,071 45-54: $2,604 35-44: $2,500 Under $35: $2,000

Source: Reuters, Census Bureau