how much should i have saved at 19?
the median, not the average. and where you rank.
$1,100
the typical american aged 18–20 has about $1,100 in cash savings: half have more, half have less. about 14% have nothing saved at all, and the top quarter has more than $3,900.
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 18 to 20: 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 18–20?
| balance | americans aged 18–20 |
|---|---|
| $1,000 | 52% have more |
| $2,000 | 36% have more |
| $5,000 | 18% have more |
| $10,000 | 9% have more |
| $20,000 | 5% have more |
| $50,000 | 0.83% have more |
| $100,000 | 0.22% 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 18-20: zero mass 0.14, then lognormal median $1500, σ 1.5, chosen to match the published centre and spread in the sources; breakpoints are the world curve's own (every wheel edge). A modelled curve anchored to published US figures, not a fit to microdata;
- Survey of Consumer Finances 2022 · Federal Reserve Board, 2023
- Economic Well-Being of U.S. Households (SHED) 2023 · Federal Reserve Board, 2024
questions people ask
- What is a normal savings balance at 19?
- The median American aged 18–20 has about $1,100 in cash savings; about 14% have none.
- How much savings is top 25% at 19?
- $3,900 is roughly the top quarter for ages 18–20; the top 10% start near $9,400.
- Is it normal to have no savings at 19?
- About 14% of Americans aged 18–20 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.
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