How much money should the average person have in their savings account?
While there's no magic number as to the amount of money someone should have in savings, experts agree that at least having an emergency fund — anywhere from 3-to-9 months of expenses — in savings is imperative.
The general rule of thumb is to try to have one or two months' of living expenses in it at all times. Some experts recommend adding 30 percent to this number as an extra cushion. To determine your exact living expenses, track your spending over several months, including all bills and discretionary spending.
| Year | Average Transaction Account Balance | Median Transaction Account Balance |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,600 | $5,300 |
| 2016 | $42,580 | $4,790 |
| 2013 | $39,690 | $4,500 |
| 2010 | $38,000 | $4,120 |
The average amount of personal savings in the U.S.
According to the Northwestern Mutual Planning and Progress Survey for 2022, the average amount of personal savings in 2022 came in at $62,000. This is a considerable decrease from the $73,000 average amount of personal savings reported on the same survey in 2021.
In fact, a good 51% of Americans say $100,000 is the savings amount needed to be financially healthy, according to the 2022 Personal Capital Wealth and Wellness Index. But that's a lot of money to keep locked away in savings.
The standard FDIC insurance amount is $250,000 per depositor, per FDIC-insured bank, per account ownership category.
Somewhere between living paycheck-to-paycheck and owning a yacht, Americans are considered “financially comfortable” if they have a net worth of $774,000, a recent survey finds. However, that amount changes depending on which city you live in.
There are also signs that Americans may be increasing their retirement savings, as the average retirement savings increased by 13%: from $87,500 to $98,800, according to Northwestern Mutual's 2021 Planning & Progress Study.
Millionaires bank differently than the rest of us. Any bank accounts they have are handled by a private banker who probably also manages their wealth. There is no standing in line at the teller's window. Studies indicate that millionaires may have, on average, as much as 25% of their money in cash.
This data is the latest available from this source but is from 2019, and some sources put average savings even higher: Northwestern Mutual's 2022 Planning & Progress Study revealed that the average amount of personal savings (not including investments) was $62,086 in 2022.
How much cash should I keep at home?
Jesse Cramer, founder of The Best Interest and relationship manager at Cobblestone Capital Advisors, believes less than $1,000 is ideal. “It depends person to person, but an amount less than $1,000 is almost always preferred.
Average American household debt statistics
The average American holds a debt balance of $96,371, according to 2021 Experian data, the latest data available. That's up 3.9 percent from 2020's average balance of $92,727, largely due to the rising balance of mortgage and auto loans.
Average Savings by Age 30
The Federal Reserve doesn't specifically collect savings data about people who are 30. Again, it lumps together everyone under 35. The Fed's most recent numbers show the average savings for the age group that includes 30-year-olds is $11,250. The median savings is $3,240.
Younger people are no exception. Of “young millennials” — which GOBankingRates defines as those between 18 and 24 years old — 67 percent have less than $1,000 in their savings accounts and 46 percent have $0.
One commonly cited data point comes from the Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finances, which finds that Americans hold an average balance of $42,000 in transaction accounts. This average is skewed by people holding high balances, so it might be better to look at the survey's median balance figure, which is $5,300.
According to the Survey Of Consumer Finances, the average American household has an average balance of $41,600 in their checking account, while the median checking account balance is $5,300.
Savings by age 30: the equivalent of your annual salary saved; if you earn $55,000 per year, by your 30th birthday you should have $55,000 saved. Savings by age 40: three times your income. Savings by age 50: six times your income. Savings by age 60: eight times your income.
Most financial experts end up suggesting you need a cash stash equal to six months of expenses: If you need $5,000 to survive every month, save $30,000. Personal finance guru Suze Orman advises an eight-month emergency fund because that's about how long it takes the average person to find a job.
Average Salary for Ages 20-24
The median salary of 20- to 24-year-olds is $706 per week, which translates to $36,712 per year. Many Americans start out their careers in their 20s and don't earn as much as they will once they reach their 30s.
The above chart shows that U.S. residents 35 and under have an average of $30,170 in retirement savings; those 35 to 44 have an average $131,950; those 45 to 54 have an average $254,720; those 55 to 64 have an average $408,420; those 65 to 74 have an average $426,070; and those over 70 have an average $357,920.