by Mitti Hicks
June 24, 2025
The newest U.S. Census Bureau estimates the median family earnings in 2023 was somewhat over $80,000.
A brand new survey reveals an growing variety of People are involved about their monetary state of affairs. Almost half, or 45%, of adults surveyed in Bankrate’s Monetary Freedom research reported that they should earn $100,000 or extra per 12 months to really feel financially safe. Roughly one-quarter, 26%, mentioned they should earn $150,000 or extra. Fewer, 16%, mentioned they should make over $200,000.
In the meantime, the most recent U.S. Census Bureau estimates the median family earnings in 2023 was somewhat over $80,000. As inflation continues to rise and financial uncertainty will increase, extra People are feeling uncomfortable financially. Bankrate’s survey reveals that the variety of those that really feel economically insecure rose to 77% in 2025, up from 75% in 2024 and 72% in 2023.
“One main subject is that wages have been stagnant for a big majority of the inhabitants over that point, and costs proceed to rise,” Carolyn McClanahan, a licensed monetary planner and founding father of Life Planning Companions in Jacksonville, Florida, instructed CNBC. “Add that to the backdrop of political instability everyone seems to be feeling, and I believe that may be a good formulation for individuals not feeling financially safe.”
Elements Driving Monetary Insecurity
In line with Experian, monetary safety is outlined as a state of well-being that entails with the ability to afford one’s bills with out stress. You don’t expertise fixed fear about cash while you’re financially safe.
Monetary safety is characterised by spending lower than you earn and having adequate financial savings to cowl emergencies. There’s a sense of being in command of your total funds while you’re financially safe.
Nevertheless, as CNBC stories, family bills are driving the elevated emotions of monetary insecurity. Baby-care bills are rising, increased mortgage charges and lease prices are rising, and pupil mortgage funds are resuming.
For a lot of People, the American Dream is deteriorating, which has been the case for over a decade.
“It begins lengthy earlier than the pandemic,” mentioned Sarah Foster, an financial analyst for Bankrate. “There has lengthy been this notion that we was on this golden age the place you would personal a house, a automobile, and get by on a single earnings — that may be a bygone period.”
Whereas many individuals are feeling unsure about their monetary futures, issues are a lot worse for Black People. A research by the Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance coverage Firm discovered that 45% of African People who make $75,000 or extra per 12 months nonetheless really feel extra financially insecure than individuals of different races.
RELATED CONTENT: Social Safety Projected To Run Out of Cash By 2034
