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

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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.

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

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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

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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.

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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

What salary is considered rich in CT? ›

The No. 1 richest state, meanwhile, is Connecticut, where residents have to bring in roughly $656,000 to be among the top earners. Washington state has seen the most dramatic growth in what it takes to be rich in recent years, according to the report. In 2017, a salary of about $378,000 would land you in the 5% club.

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.

How much do you have to earn to be considered upper class? ›

Upper class: greater than $153,000.

Are you wealthy for your age? ›

The average net worth of someone younger than 35 years old is $183,500, as of 2022. From there, average net worth steadily rises within each age bracket. Between 35 to 44, the average net worth is $549,600, while between 45 and 54, that number increases to $975,800.

What 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 salary is middle class in CT? ›

Your household would need to earn at least $64,224 to be considered middle class in the Garden State, and earning more than $192,692 would put you in the upper class.

What qualifies you as wealthy? ›

Rich (or wealthy) people tend to have lots of free cash—and/or borrowing power—which they can spend on more goods and services. They can pay their bills easily, afford health care without worry, and often depend on a financially secure future. Their affluence can have different origins, of course.

Is 200K a good salary in New Jersey? ›

While ZipRecruiter is seeing salaries as high as $222,793 and as low as $56,187, the majority of 200K salaries currently range between $164,651 (25th percentile) to $194,454 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $207,646 annually in New Jersey.

What is considered a high salary in New Jersey? ›

Average Salary in New Jersey
Annual SalaryWeekly Pay
Top Earners$91,250$1,754
75th Percentile$74,305$1,428
Average$58,819$1,131
25th Percentile$43,332$833

What is the salary of upper class in 2024? ›

How much does an Upper Class make? As of May 23, 2024, the average annual pay for the Upper Class jobs category in the United States is $59,699 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $28.70 an hour.

What is the middle class in 2024? ›

What is the average middle class income? In 2024, a large U.S. city's middle-class income averages between $52,000 and $155,000, with the median household income across all 345 cities at $77,345, making middle-class income limits fall between $51,558 and $154,590, SmartAsset noted.

What net worth is upper class? ›

With that in mind, a net worth of $604,900 would put you in the upper 25% of American households and having $1 million or more should make you firmly a member of the upper class. Of course, it's important to remember that net worth is calculated by adding up your assets and then subtracting your liabilities.

How much money does the average person have in their bank account? ›

In 2022, the average savings account balance in the United States was $62,410, while the median balance was only $8,000. The average and median balances vary depending on age, with older generations having more savings.

What is a good net worth at 50? ›

A general rule of thumb is that your net worth in your 50s should be around four to five times your annual salary, said Jeff Rose, CFP and founder of Good Financial Cents. For instance, he said that if someone's earning $60,000 annually, their net worth might ideally be in the ballpark of $240,000 to $300,000.

How many Americans live paycheck to paycheck? ›

How Many Americans Are Living Paycheck to Paycheck? A 2023 survey conducted by Payroll.org highlighted that 78% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck, a 6% increase from the previous year.

What is a high salary in CT? ›

Average Salary in Connecticut
Annual SalaryMonthly Pay
Top Earners$98,156$8,179
75th Percentile$83,924$6,993
Average$66,037$5,503
25th Percentile$48,151$4,012

What is the top 1% income in CT? ›

In Connecticut, households need to earn an annual income of $952,902 or more to be part of the top 1% of earners.

At what salary are you considered rich? ›

You'll need to earn more than half a million annually to be considered among the highest earning residents in 11 states and Washington, D.C. "This comes down to cost of living," Murray said.

How much is 100k salary in CT? ›

If you make $100,000 a year living in the region of Connecticut, USA, you will be taxed $29,908. That means that your net pay will be $70,092 per year, or $5,841 per month.

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