Is $500,000 a good net worth?

Yes. Half a million dollars is about the 67th percentile of U.S. families in the Federal Reserve’s 2025 survey. Roughly one family in three has more. It’s more than double the $215,900 national median.

By age: under 35, $500,000 is around the 95th percentile, top 5%. For 35 to 44 it’s the 75th percentile, so three quarters of that group have less. For 45 to 54 it’s around the 64th percentile. For 55 to 64 it’s around the 53rd, right at the middle. For 65 and older it’s close to the median too.

$500,000 is a great number at 40 and an ordinary one at 60, because retirement needs the money to produce income. Under the 4% rule, $500,000 of investments pays about $20,000 a year on top of Social Security.

See how your own number ranks with the net worth percentile calculator by age.