Single-filer estimate. Switch to dual-earner below if both partners work.
Your monthly lifestyle
Edit any line. Defaults reflect a comfortable HCOL household.
Includes taxes, insurance, maintenance
Total annual travel ÷ 12
Breakdown of the required salary
Sources: IRS 2026 inflation adjustments (Rev. Proc. 2025-32, post-OBBBA), IRS Notice 2025-67 (retirement limits), IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-19 (HSA limits), SSA 2026 COLA fact sheet, state revenue departments, Tax Foundation 2026 State Individual Income Tax Rates. Estimates only — not tax advice.
"Rich" is a personal definition
When Bloomberg surveyed Americans in 2024, the income they said they'd need to "feel rich" was about $520K. The actual U.S. median household income? About $80K. The gap isn't just lifestyle inflation — it's the well-documented hedonic treadmill: every level of income gets normalized within a year or two.
The math here flips the question: rather than chasing an arbitrary number, define the lifestyle and savings rate you want and reverse-engineer the income that funds them. Often the gap is closer than expected — especially in lower-tax states.
PeakWorth provides educational projections, not financial advice. We are not a registered investment advisor, broker-dealer, tax preparer, or attorney. Consult a licensed professional before making major financial decisions. Read full disclosures