June 24, 2025
The most recent U.S. Census Bureau estimates the median family earnings in 2023 was a bit of over $80,000.
A brand new survey reveals an rising variety of Individuals are involved about their monetary state of affairs. Almost half, or 45%, of adults surveyed in Bankrate’s Monetary Freedom examine reported that they should earn $100,000 or extra per yr to really feel financially safe. Roughly one-quarter, 26%, stated they should earn $150,000 or extra. Fewer, 16%, stated they should make over $200,000.
In the meantime, the newest U.S. Census Bureau estimates the median family earnings in 2023 was a bit of over $80,000. As inflation continues to rise and financial uncertainty will increase, extra Individuals are feeling uncomfortable financially. Bankrate’s survey exhibits that the variety of those that really feel economically insecure rose to 77% in 2025, up from 75% in 2024 and 72% in 2023.
“One main challenge is that wages have been stagnant for a big majority of the inhabitants over that point, and costs proceed to rise,” Carolyn McClanahan, a licensed monetary planner and founding father of Life Planning Companions in Jacksonville, Florida, instructed CNBC. “Add that to the backdrop of political instability everyone seems to be feeling, and I believe that could be a excellent components for folks not feeling financially safe.”
Components Driving Monetary Insecurity
In response to Experian, monetary safety is outlined as a state of well-being that includes having the ability to afford one’s bills with out stress. You don’t expertise fixed fear about cash once you’re financially safe.
Monetary safety is characterised by spending lower than you earn and having adequate financial savings to cowl emergencies. There’s a sense of being in charge of your total funds once you’re financially safe.
Nonetheless, as CNBC stories, family bills are driving the elevated emotions of monetary insecurity. Little one-care bills are rising, greater mortgage charges and lease prices are rising, and scholar mortgage funds are resuming.
For a lot of Individuals, the American Dream is deteriorating, which has been the case for over a decade.
“It begins lengthy earlier than the pandemic,” stated Sarah Foster, an financial analyst for Bankrate. “There has lengthy been this notion that we was on this golden age the place you may personal a house, a automobile, and get by on a single earnings — that could be a bygone period.”
Whereas many individuals are feeling unsure about their monetary futures, issues are a lot worse for Black Individuals. A examine by the Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance coverage Firm discovered that 45% of African Individuals who make $75,000 or extra per yr nonetheless really feel extra financially insecure than folks of different races.
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