Income tells you how much money flows in; net worth tells you how much you’ve actually kept. It is the single best snapshot of your financial position: everything you own minus everything you owe. This calculator totals both sides, breaks out home equity and liquid assets, and compares your result with the latest Federal Reserve data for US families in your age group.
How to use the net worth calculator
- Under What you own, enter balances for cash, taxable investments and retirement accounts, plus the current market value of your home, vehicles and other assets.
- Under What you owe, enter the balances on your mortgage, car loans, student loans, credit cards and any other debts.
- Optionally enter your age to compare with the median for your age group.
- Read your net worth, then look at the ratios to see what drives it.
Net worth formula
Use market values, not purchase prices: what your car would sell for today and what similar homes nearby have sold for. Retirement accounts can be counted at their full balance, though taxes will be due on traditional 401(k) and IRA withdrawals.
Worked example
A 38-year-old household has $15,000 in cash, $40,000 in a brokerage account, $85,000 in retirement accounts, a $350,000 home, an $18,000 car and $5,000 of other assets. They owe $260,000 on the mortgage, $12,000 on the car, $20,000 in student loans and $4,000 on credit cards.
Assets = 15,000 + 40,000 + 85,000 + 350,000 + 18,000 + 5,000 = $513,000
Liabilities = 260,000 + 12,000 + 20,000 + 4,000 = $296,000
Net worth = $217,000; debt-to-asset ratio 57.7%
Home equity = $90,000, so net worth excluding the home is $127,000
The median for families headed by someone aged 35–44 is $155,600, so this household sits about $61,400 above the typical family its age.
US net worth by age (2025)
| Age of family head | Median net worth | Mean net worth |
|---|---|---|
| Under 35 | $33,000 | $135,400 |
| 35–44 | $155,600 | $681,900 |
| 45–54 | $253,700 | $1,244,500 |
| 55–64 | $411,900 | $1,878,000 |
| 65–74 | $431,300 | $1,897,600 |
| 75 or older | $504,900 | $1,962,200 |
| All families | $215,900 | $1,241,500 |
Source: Federal Reserve Board, Changes in U.S. Family Finances from 2022 to 2025 (Survey of Consumer Finances, October 2026), in 2025 dollars. The mean is far above the median because a small number of very wealthy families pull it up; the median is the better benchmark for a typical household.
How to grow your net worth
- Spend less than you earn, every month. A simple framework like the 50/30/20 budget directs a fixed share of pay to saving and debt payoff.
- Pay off high-interest debt. Clearing a credit card at 22% improves net worth faster than almost any investment.
- Invest steadily. Regular contributions to retirement and brokerage accounts compound over decades.
- Avoid depreciating debt. Car loans finance an asset that loses value, so they drag net worth down twice.
- Keep an emergency fund so a job loss or repair doesn’t force you into debt — the emergency fund calculator sizes it.
This calculator provides an estimate for personal planning and is not financial advice. Asset values are only as accurate as the figures you enter.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate my net worth?
Add the current value of everything you own — cash, investments, retirement accounts, real estate, vehicles and other valuables — and subtract everything you owe, including your mortgage, car loans, student loans and credit card balances. The difference is your net worth.
What is the median net worth in the US?
The Federal Reserve's 2025 Survey of Consumer Finances, published in October 2026, puts the median family net worth at $215,900 and the mean at about $1.24 million. The median rises with age, from $33,000 for families headed by someone under 35 to $504,900 for those 75 or older.
Should I include my home in my net worth?
Yes — standard net worth includes your home at market value minus the mortgage. Because you need somewhere to live and can't easily spend home equity, the calculator also shows net worth excluding the home, which is a better gauge of resources available for retirement or emergencies.
Is a negative net worth bad?
It is common early in a career, especially with student loans or a new car loan. What matters most is the direction: paying down debt and saving consistently should move net worth up each year.
How often should I calculate net worth?
Once or twice a year is enough for most people. Use the same valuation approach each time — for example, a conservative estimate of your home's value — so year-over-year changes reflect real progress rather than market noise.