Two decades ago, earning $170,000 meant stepping into the upper class in the United States. That level of income was considered enough for a comfortable lifestyle, financial security, and even luxury.

Today, that picture has changed drastically. The rising cost of living, inflation, and social pressures are pushing the definition of financial comfort much higher.

For many six-figure earners, the salary needed to feel secure now starts at half a million dollars.

The Shifting Value of a Six-Figure Salary

Once a symbol of financial success, six-figure paychecks no longer carry the same weight. A recent Clarify Capital study found that nearly 60% of people making over $100,000 a year no longer see themselves as financially successful. Women reported this feeling slightly more than men, but both groups expressed a growing sense of financial strain.

Freepik | Earning six figures doesn’t feel like financial success for most people anymore.

When asked what it would take to feel comfortable, the most common answer was $500,000 annually. That number stands in sharp contrast to the $170,000 threshold for “upper class” households reported in 2005 by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The reasons behind this dramatic shift are clear: rising living costs, inflation, and social expectations. Even high-income households are struggling to keep up.

Inflation and the Cost of Comfort

Housing, food, and everyday expenses are eating into paychecks at all income levels. Since 2020, average rents have increased by more than 25%, with the sharpest rises hitting lower-cost homes. Food prices are straining budgets as well, with seven in ten six-figure earners turning to discount grocery stores to stretch their dollars.

The financial pressures go beyond the basics. Many high earners admit to feeling anxious because of social media portrayals of luxury lifestyles. Gen Z and women report the strongest sense of pressure to “keep up,” with many acknowledging feelings of lifestyle envy. The gap between what is earned and what is needed for peace of mind continues to widen.

How Rare Is a $500,000 Salary?

While $500,000 may be the comfort benchmark, very few jobs actually reach that level. According to ADP analysis, only one in 127 roles in the U.S. pays $500,000 or more. That represents less than 1% of available jobs. For most professionals, that figure is out of reach.

This scarcity underscores the financial unease even among top earners. While they may bring in salaries that once symbolized wealth, today’s economic conditions make those earnings feel insufficient.

Financial Stress Across Generations

The concern isn’t limited to younger workers. About 85% of six-figure earners report feeling stressed by rising costs, according to Clarify Capital. Younger generations, particularly millennials and Gen Z, express the highest worry that financial instability could eventually lead to homelessness. Nearly a third of young adults reported that concern compared to just 11% of baby boomers.

Older Americans are also uneasy. A 2025 Schroders survey revealed that 92% of retirees worry about inflation reducing the value of their assets. Nearly half of them also said retirement expenses are higher than they anticipated. This signals that even lifetime savers are not insulated from economic shifts.

The Meaning of Wealth Today

Freepik | tirachardz | Financial comfort in America is being redefined by rising expenses and changing expectations.

The findings show that wealth is no longer defined by income alone. A six-figure paycheck does not guarantee financial security, and for many, true wealth now means stability rather than status. Rising expenses, shrinking purchasing power, and lifestyle expectations are reshaping what it takes to feel financially comfortable in America.

What once felt like a dream salary—$100,000 or even $170,000—no longer stretches far enough. The new threshold, $500,000, is out of reach for nearly everyone, highlighting just how much the cost of comfort has grown.

Salary Expectations and Financial Reality

The growing divide between income and expenses is reshaping financial expectations in the U.S. While $500,000 may represent comfort for many, very few people will ever earn that much. Rising housing costs, expensive groceries, inflation, and cultural pressure are leaving even high earners uneasy about their financial footing.

The definition of wealth has shifted. Instead of focusing on a number, financial comfort today is tied to stability, security, and the ability to withstand rising costs without constant worry. A $500,000 salary may be the new benchmark, but the pursuit of true financial peace extends far beyond the paycheck.