Americans Believe Earning $150K Or More Would Lead To A Better Quality Of Life

Nearly half of Americans (45%) believe an annual income of $100,000 or more is necessary for financial security or comfort, as revealed in a recent Bankrate survey. Delving deeper, 26% of participants indicated they would require $150,000 or more, with 8% specifying a need between $200,000 and $499,999 and another 8% stating they would need $500,000 or greater. Conversely, 45% expressed feeling financially secure earning less than six figures, with 34% indicating a comfortable range of $50,000 to $99,999. The online poll, conducted by YouGov with 2,260 American adults in mid-May, also asked about desirable income for perceived wealth, with 55% suggesting $200,000 or more. Notably, 56% of respondents indicated they require higher earnings than their current income. Median household income in the U.S. for 2023 stands at $80,610, while for two or more-person households, it's $102,800, highlighting the disparity in perceived financial stability across income levels.