Here's how much money it takes to be 'rich' in NY, NJ, CT for 2024 (2024)

How much does it cost to live the American Dream?

Lynette Khalfani Cox, CEO of the Money Coach shares how the high cost of living is impacting families in the US.

NEW YORK - What does it mean to be considered "rich"?

The definition of "rich" can vary dramatically depending on where you live. Cost of living, tax structures and local economies all play a role in how much income is needed to be considered wealthy.

JUMP TO: NEW JERSEY l CONNECTICUT l NEW YORK

A recent study by GOBankingRates, a platform focused on personal finance, examined the income thresholds required to be considered wealthy in every state.

Featured

article

Here's what it takes to be considered middle class in NYC

A new study from the personal finance website SmartAsset took a look at what it takes financially to be considered middle class in 2024 in NY, NJ and CT, as well as NYC.

"To get an idea of what it looks like to be rich in America, GOBankingRates used IRS data to conduct a study of the top incomes as they break down by state," the website said. "It lays out what income level is needed to place you in the top 20% and the top 5% of incomes within your state."

1. New Jersey

  • The minimum you need to make to be in the top 20%: $180,558
  • Average adjusted gross income of the top 20%: $319,140
  • The minimum you need to make to be in the top 5%: $562,886

5. Connecticut

  • The minimum you need to make to be in the top 20%: $169,183
  • Average adjusted gross income of the top 20%: $319,533
  • The minimum you need to make to be in the top 5%: $602,707

9. New York

  • The minimum you need to make to be in the top 20%: $158,336
  • Average adjusted gross income of the top 20%: $302,676
  • The minimum you need to make to be in the top 5%: $574,063

Featured

article

How much money you need to 'live comfortably' in NYC

New Yorkers need to make $63,000 more than residents in Houston, Texas, if they want to live "comfortably," according to a new study.

The highs and lows of wealth in America

New Jersey stands out with the highest threshold for the top 20% of earners. An individual in New Jersey must make at least $180,558 annually to be considered in this upper tier. This reflects the state's high cost of living and affluent communities, particularly those near New York City.

On the other end of the spectrum, Mississippi requires the least income to be among the top 20%, with $101,447 needed annually. Mississippi's lower cost of living and economic structure contribute to a lower threshold for being considered rich than other states.

So what's the cutoff for being considered wealthy?

According to the personal finance site SmartAsset, the definition of wealth can vary widely. For example, individuals with $1 million in liquid assets are generally classified as having a high net worth. To be considered very high net worth, one might need assets ranging from $5 million to $10 million, while an ultra-high net worth status could require $30 million or more. These figures underscore the subjective nature of financial classifications across different thresholds of wealth.

  • RELATED: How much New York's minimum wage will increase on Jan. 1, 2024
  • RELATED: How much New Jersey's minimum wage will increase on Jan. 1, 2024
  • RELATED: How much Connecticut's minimum wage will increase on Jan. 1, 2024

The amount you need to earn to be considered wealthy also varies depending on the metrics used. According to IRS standards, a monthly income of approximately $45,000 qualifies someone as wealthy. However, if you're aiming for the top 1% as measured by the Economic Policy Institute (EPI), you'd need to earn about $68,277 monthly.

According to data from the Census Bureau, the median household income in the U.S. is approximately $71,000. To reach the top 20% of earners, an individual would need to earn nearly double this amount, averaging around $130,545 per year.

The threshold for being in the top 5% of earners highlights even more stark contrasts. For example, in Connecticut, you'd need to make $602,707 to be in this elite group, the highest among all states. This is due to Connecticut's concentration of high-income jobs and proximity to New York's financial industries.

Moreover, how one is considered wealthy can vary significantly from state to state, reflecting the diverse economic landscapes and cost of living. For instance, while an income of around $101,447 places you in the top 20% in Mississippi, you would need almost $180,558 to achieve the same status in New Jersey. These disparities illustrate that the financial benchmark for wealth is deeply influenced by regional economic conditions.

To see the full list, click HERE.

Austin Williams, with the FOX Digital Team, helped contribute to this report.

Here's how much money it takes to be 'rich' in NY, NJ, CT for 2024 (2024)

FAQs

How much money is considered wealthy in 2024? ›

To be considered very high net worth, one might need assets ranging from $5 million to $10 million, while an ultra-high net worth status could require $30 million or more. These figures underscore the subjective nature of financial classifications across different thresholds of wealth.

What is the top 1% income in 2024? ›

According to Financial Samurai, as of 2024, a consistent top 1% income starts at $650,000 annually across all ages.

What income is considered middle class in 2024? ›

The median household income across all 345 cities is $77,345, making middle-class income limits fall between $51,558 and $154,590. On a state level, it takes the most money to be middle class in New Jersey. A household making between $64,224 and $192,692 would be considered middle class on a state level.

What income is considered wealthy? ›

Test 2: Comparing your income

For example, you may be considered rich if you're in the nation's top 1% of earners. In 2022, that group saw an average annual income from wages of $785,968—nearly 19 times higher than the bottom 90%, according to the Economic Policy Institute Open in new tab.

What is considered wealthy in NJ? ›

New Jersey stands out with the highest threshold for the top 20% of earners. An individual in New Jersey must make at least $180,558 annually to be considered in this upper tier. This reflects the state's high cost of living and affluent communities, particularly those near New York City.

What is the high income threshold for 2024? ›

The high-income threshold for FY23-24 is $167,500. This article explores how the high-income threshold can be met by part-time employees for these two different purposes.

What income is considered upper class? ›

Upper middle class: Anyone with earnings in the 60th to 80th percentile would be considered upper middle class. Those in the upper middle class have incomes between $89,745 and $149,131. Upper class: Finally, the upper class is the top 20% of earners and they have incomes of $149,132 or higher.

What is a good salary in 2024? ›

“A salary range of $80,001 to $95,000 is more reasonable for living comfortably, this aligns more closely with the reality in high-cost living areas.”

What is middle class in NJ? ›

New Jersey median state income in 2022 was $96,346 which was one of the highest. Households in the Garden State could earn between $60k to $190k and still be considered middle class.

Is $150000 a year middle class? ›

Based on that number, if you earn between $50,000 and $150,000 a year, you qualify as middle class. Around half of Americans fall into the middle-class category as of 2021, according to the Pew Research Center, but the numbers have been shrinking over time, down from 61% in 1971.

What is middle class in NY? ›

To be considered middle class, you must have “an annual household income that is two-thirds to double the median income,” according to GOBankingRates. More Local News. In New York, the income range to be considered middle class is $54,257 to $162,772, according to the study.

Is Connecticut a wealthy state? ›

From 1987 to 2019, Connecticut was the richest state in the US as measured by per capita personal income. In 2020, it lost out — by $10 — to neighboring Massachusetts.

What is considered rich in New York? ›

However, the amount to be considered “wealthy” in New Yorkers is an average net worth of $3.3 million. It's clear that non- financial assets like health and family resonate far more when defining wealth than having large sums of money, as a significant portion (45%) also reported living paycheck to paycheck.

What is the high net worth in 2024? ›

The most commonly quoted figure for qualification as a high-net-worth individual is at least $1 million in liquid financial assets, excluding personal assets such as a primary residence. Investors with less than $1 million but more than $100,000 in liquid assets are considered sub-HNWIs.

How much net worth to be in the top 5%? ›

The most recent data from the Fed's Survey of Consumer Finances took a snapshot of the American public at the end of 2022. At that point, a net worth of $3,795,000 was enough to put you in the top 5% of all American households. If that number has your head spinning, there are some important details you should consider.

How much money to be upper class? ›

A Business Insider analysis of 2022 US Census Bureau data, the latest year for which data is available, has found that 21.1% of people in Washington, DC, are considered upper class, with household incomes above $202,000.

How much money is considered generational wealth? ›

How much money is considered generational wealth? For any amount of wealth to be considered generational wealth, it simply has to be passed down by at least one generation; however, there is no definitive number that constitutes generational wealth because wealth is relative.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Virgilio Hermann JD

Last Updated:

Views: 6269

Rating: 4 / 5 (41 voted)

Reviews: 88% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Virgilio Hermann JD

Birthday: 1997-12-21

Address: 6946 Schoen Cove, Sipesshire, MO 55944

Phone: +3763365785260

Job: Accounting Engineer

Hobby: Web surfing, Rafting, Dowsing, Stand-up comedy, Ghost hunting, Swimming, Amateur radio

Introduction: My name is Virgilio Hermann JD, I am a fine, gifted, beautiful, encouraging, kind, talented, zealous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.