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Personal Financenet worth

This is how much money Americans think they need to be considered wealthy in cities across the U.S.

Kaitlyn Koterbski
By
Kaitlyn Koterbski
Kaitlyn Koterbski
Personal Finance Expert
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July 6, 2022, 1:54 PM ET
Fans gather to take photos at 1709 Broderick Street, the house depicted in the TV show "Full House".
Fans gather to take photos at 1709 Broderick Street, the house depicted in the TV show "Full House".Carlos Avila Gonzalez—San Francisco Chronicle/Getty Images

San Francisco is famous for being home to the Golden Gate Bridge, cable cars, and the Tanner family of Full House. But exactly how much money did the Tanners need to live comfortably in their grand Victorian home?  

According to a recent report, well over $1 million. In fact, the average net worth it takes to be considered financially comfortable in San Francisco hit $1.7 million this year, up from $1.3 million in 2021, according to Charles Schwab’s 2022 Modern Wealth Survey.

And to be considered rich in San Francisco, the Tanners would have to save up significantly more: The average net worth needed to be considered “wealthy” in the Golden City topped $5.1 million. The average net worth of all U.S. households, on the other hand, was $748,800 in 2019, according to the most recent Survey of Consumer Finances by the Federal Reserve. The median net worth for U.S. households was $121,700.

Schwab’s report looks at the factors that affect Americans’ views on saving, spending, investing, and wealth in 12 major metropolitan areas around the country. 

San Franciscans reported needing the most money to be financially comfortable and wealthy. Meanwhile, the national average to be considered comfortable was $774,000, while the national average to be considered rich was $2.2 million, per Schwab’s report.

Here’s what it takes to be considered wealthy in 12 major metropolitan areas in 2022.

1. Atlanta

  • Average net worth it takes to be wealthy: $2.5 million
  • Average net worth it takes to be financially comfortable: $771,000

2. Boston

  • Average net worth it takes to be wealthy: $2.7 million
  • Average net worth it takes to be financially comfortable: $892,000

3. Chicago

  • Average net worth it takes to be wealthy: $2.5 million
  • Average net worth it takes to be financially comfortable: $956,000

4. Dallas

  • Average net worth it takes to be wealthy: $2.6 million
  • Average net worth it takes to be financially comfortable: $840,000

5. Denver

  • Average net worth it takes to be wealthy: $2.3 million
  • Average net worth it takes to be financially comfortable: $671,000

6. Houston

  • Average net worth it takes to be wealthy: $2.6 million
  • Average net worth it takes to be financially comfortable: $919,000

7. New York

  • Average net worth it takes to be wealthy: $3.4 million
  • Average net worth it takes to be financially comfortable: $1.4 million

8. Phoenix

  • Average net worth it takes to be wealthy: $2.7 million
  • Average net worth it takes to be financially comfortable: $747,000

9. San Francisco

  • Average net worth it takes to be wealthy: $5.1 million
  • Average net worth it takes to be financially comfortable: $1.7 million

10. Seattle

  • Average net worth it takes to be wealthy: $3.2 million
  • Average net worth it takes to be financially comfortable: $1.2 million

11. Southern California

  • Average net worth it takes to be wealthy: $3.9 million
  • Average net worth it takes to be financially comfortable: $1.3 million

12. Washington D.C. 

  • Average net worth it takes to be wealthy: $3.3 million
  • Average net worth it takes to be financially comfortable: $1.1 million

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About the Author
Kaitlyn Koterbski
By Kaitlyn KoterbskiPersonal Finance Expert
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Kaitlyn Koterbski earned a bachelor's Degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in personal finance with an emphasis in financial planning and a certificate in entrepreneurship. She currently works as an accounting assistant at WHR Global.

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