U.S. Household Finance Statistics (2026)
Editor's summary
The 14 figures below summarize where the average American household stands financially in 2026 — net worth, savings rate, credit-card debt, and emergency-fund readiness. Every claim cites a primary federal source (Federal Reserve, BLS, CFPB, FDIC) so you can verify the numbers and use them in your own work.
The numbers
U.S. personal saving rate: 4.6%
Down from a pandemic peak of 32% in April 2020, the personal saving rate has settled near its long-run pre-2020 average.
As of 2026-03 · Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Median household net worth: $192,900
The median (not mean) U.S. household net worth as of the most recent Survey of Consumer Finances. The mean is roughly 6× higher due to top-end skew.
As of 2025 · Federal Reserve
37% of adults could not cover a $400 emergency in cash
From the Fed's annual SHED survey — these adults would need to borrow, sell something, or skip the expense entirely.
As of 2025 · Federal Reserve
Average credit-card APR: 24.3%
On accounts assessed interest. The highest level in the Federal Reserve's G.19 series since record-keeping began in 1994.
As of 2026-Q1 · Federal Reserve
Total U.S. credit-card debt: $1.18 trillion
Continued post-pandemic acceleration. Delinquency rates of 90+ days are at 2011 levels.
As of 2026-Q1 · Federal Reserve Bank of New York
Median 401(k) balance, age 55–64: $87,000
Mean is $244,000 in the same age group. The gap reflects how concentrated retirement wealth is in top-earner accounts.
As of 2025 · Vanguard Research
FDIC-insured deposits: $10.4 trillion
Of $17.6 trillion in total domestic deposits — roughly 59% are inside the $250k FDIC insurance cap.
As of 2025-Q4 · FDIC
Average new-car loan APR: 7.4%
For prime borrowers. Subprime new-car APRs average 12.8%, and used-car subprime APRs average 18.9%.
As of 2026-Q1 · Experian
Median monthly mortgage payment: $2,140
New mortgages originated in 2025. Up 92% from the 2019 median of $1,115.
As of 2025 · ICE Mortgage Technology
Average HYSA APY at online banks: 4.35%
Top-quartile high-yield savings accounts. The FDIC national average is just 0.42%.
As of 2026-04 · FDIC
Median FICO score: 717
Up 5 points year-over-year. 23% of consumers have a score of 800+.
As of 2025-Q4 · FICO
Average overdraft fee at big banks: $27.08
Down from $33.58 in 2021 as the CFPB pressured banks to lower fees. Eight of the 20 largest banks now charge $0.
As of 2025 · CFPB
U.S. inflation (CPI-U, YoY): 2.7%
Down from a 9.1% peak in June 2022, but still above the Fed's 2% target.
As of 2026-04 · U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Average student-loan balance per borrower: $38,375
Across 42.7 million federal student-loan borrowers. Median balance is $20,000.
As of 2025-Q4 · U.S. Department of Education
Frequently Asked Questions
- How often is this page updated?
- Quarterly, alongside the major federal data releases (Fed G.19, NY Fed Household Debt Report, BLS CPI, FDIC Quarterly Banking Profile). Each fact card carries its own as-of date so you can see how fresh the number is.
- Can I cite these in my own work?
- Yes — every number links to its primary source (federal agency or major research outlet). We recommend citing the underlying source directly rather than this page for academic work.
Get Weekly Money Tips Straight to Your Inbox
Join thousands of readers getting practical finance advice every week. Free.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.