More than half of people who earn six digits a year no longer feel financially successful-and revealed that they would need a very high salary of $ 500,000 to feel comfortable in the current economy. Just 20 years ago, who earned $ 170,000 were considered upper class. But today, even the highest salaries generate anxiety about the high prices and pressure to maintain lifestyles that their income no longer supports.
Not long ago that gaining six digits seemed like the realization of the American dream: luxury sports car parked in front of mansions, food full of food and enough money on the bank to feel safe. But now, even the biggest salaries are feeling the tightening in the cost of living crisis, and the reluctant salaries of $ 100,000 have lost their shine.
Almost 60% of those who earn six digits do not feel financially successful, according to a recent Clarify Capital report. Women were slightly more likely than men responding in this way at this level of income, with 60% saying that they do not feel financially prosperous against 56% of men.
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And now, for these well -paid professionals to feel financially comfortable, they need to earn impressive $ 500,000 – the most common value chosen for 24% of those who earn six digits.
Unfortunately, these very high salaries are not easy to achieve. Only one in 127 US jobs pays $ 500,000 or more, representing about 0.8% of vacancies, according to ADP analysis.
Increased cost of living is generating financial insecurity at all levels; About 85% of those who earn six digits said they felt stress and anxiety due to the increase in prices, according to the Clarify Capital report.
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And luxurious and idealized lifestyles displayed on social networks do not help. Many of the greatest salaries report to envy lifestyle and pressure to accompany, with generation Z (79%) and women (63%) being the most impacted.
“In the current economy, only income does not guarantee financial tranquility. Those who earn the most are being pressured by inflation, stressed by social pressure and more conscious than it really means to be financially successful,” says Clarify Capital’s report. “As consumer habits change and priorities change, one thing gets clear: real wealth is security, not just status.”
The Dilemma of Financial Comfort: Increased food and rent prices, anxiety with inflation and assumption of assets
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Cost of living rose
Just 20 years ago, which meant being “rich” is nowhere near the salary that those who earn six digits need today to feel comfortable.
In 2005, the income required to be classified as upper class was $ 169,800 annually, according to data from Bureau of Labor Statistics analyzed by Nasdaq – an impressive value $ 330,000 lower than what the highest salaries say today to feel financially stable in the face of high life costs.
Food prices are so high that seven out of ten people who earn six digits are now required to shop at discount supermarkets to save on the basic items of everyday life, according to the Clarify Capital report. And housing is another problem; The rent has risen more than 25% since 2020, with faster increase for lower priced houses, according to the consumer price index.
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Living has become so expensive that almost a quarter of Americans said he was actively concerned that his financial situation could lead to a lack of housing, according to a 2024 Awakens report. And young people feel this particular pressure – about a third of generation Z and millennials expressed this concern, against only 11% of boomers.
“The common American is facing a flood of bad financial news, from persistent increases in inflation to cost of living, all in the midst of a global war scenario and turbulence,” wrote Noah Kerner, CEO of Awakens, in the report.
But even older Americans, with a lifetime of economies, are not quiet in the current US economy. About 92% of retirees said they were concerned about inflation by reducing the value of their assets – the main concern listed – and an increase over 89% in 2024, according to a 2025 study of Schroders. About 45% of these older respondents also report that their retirement life expenses are higher than they expected.
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This article was originally published on Fortune.com
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