how much should i have saved at 17?
the median, not the average. and where you rank.
$520
the typical american aged 16–17 has about $520 in cash savings: half have more, half have less. about 15% have nothing saved at all, and the top quarter has more than $1,600.
the average is pulled far higher by a few big balances, which is why it's the wrong number to compare yourself to. the same numbers apply at every age from 16 to 17: the curve covers the whole band.
where do you land?
cash in checking, savings and money-market accounts. not retirement accounts, not what you owe. nothing you type leaves this page.
how many have more than $X at 16–17?
| balance | americans aged 16–17 |
|---|---|
| $1,000 | 34% have more |
| $2,000 | 19% have more |
| $5,000 | 7% have more |
| $10,000 | 2% have more |
| $20,000 | 1% have more |
| $50,000 | 0.098% have more |
| $100,000 | 0.017% have more |
savings by age
| age | bottom quarter | median | top quarter | top 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13–15 | $40 | $210 | $660 | $1,700 |
| 16–17 | $140 | $520 | $1,600 | $4,200 |
| 18–20 | $280 | $1,100 | $3,900 | $9,400 |
| 21–24 | $720 | $2,600 | $7,900 | $21,300 |
| 25–29 | $1,300 | $4,400 | $14,200 | $35,400 |
| 30–35 | $2,100 | $6,900 | $20,900 | $48,900 |
how this is worked out
United States, ages 16-17: zero mass 0.15, then lognormal median $700, σ 1.4 (B67), matching Ipsos's 13-17 savings balances; breakpoints are the world curve's own (every wheel edge). A modelled curve anchored to published US figures, not a fit to microdata;
questions people ask
- How much should a 17 year old have in savings?
- The median American aged 16–17 has about $520 in cash savings; about 15% have none.
- Is $1,600 in savings good at 17?
- $1,600 is roughly the top quarter for ages 16–17; the top 10% start near $4,200.
- How many 17 year olds have zero savings?
- About 15% of Americans aged 16–17 have no cash saved, according to the curve built from Federal Reserve and survey figures.
that's one number. behind scores eight.
money, looks, height, popularity, screen time and more, each ranked against everyone born your year in the country you grew up in. one card, about two minutes.
see your card on the app store