The useful comparison is vs your segment: Americans of your age, similar income, similar metro area. Crossing with Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finances 2024 + BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey, we calculate your real percentile precisely.
The 4 percentile zones
Below average (0-25)
Worse than 75% of Americans like you.
Average (25-60)
Where most are. Problem: average projects Social Security replacing only ~40% of pre-retirement income for middle earners.
Above average (60-85)
Better than 60-85% of segment.
Top decile (85-100)
Top 15%. Exceptional.
The 5 variables that differ most
1. Savings rate
| Percentile | Typical American savings rate |
|---|---|
| Top 10% | 25-40% of income |
| Top 25% | 15-25% |
| Average | 5-8% |
| Bottom 25% | 0-2% |
2. Debt structure (DTI)
| Percentile | Typical DTI |
|---|---|
| Top 10% | 0-15% (typically just mortgage) |
| Top 25% | 15-25% |
| Average | 28-38% |
| Bottom 25% | 43%+ |
3. Active investment vs savings
Top 10%: 60-80% in real investments. Average: 18-28% (most in checking/savings + 401(k)).
4. 401(k) and IRA contributions
72% of top decile maxes 401(k) match minimum + IRA. Only 31% of average Americans max even the match.
5. Written 5-year financial planning
74% of top decile has written goals with numbers. Only 11% of average Americans.
Why average American isn't a good target
Average American projection: - Social Security: ~40% replacement for middle earners (insufficient) - 401(k) accumulated by 65: 5-8x annual salary (Fidelity recommends 10x) - Emergency fund: <1 month - Retirement debt: significant in consumer credit
Being average means projecting to a downgraded retirement.
How to move up a quartile in 12 months
Below to average (25→60)
Pay off credit card debt. Build $1,000 emergency fund. Save 5%.
Average to above (60→85)
Save 15%. Max 401(k) employer match. Open Roth IRA.
Above to top decile (85→95)
Max all tax-advantaged space. Geographic diversification (international index). Tax optimization.
Top decile to top 1% (95→99)
Alternative investments, estate planning, possibly real estate empire, private equity for accredited investors.
Based on Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finances 2024 + BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey 2024.
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About the author
Enrique 'Kike' Faúndez is an Information Systems and Management Control Engineer from Universidad de Chile, with master’s degrees in Finance from Universidad de Chile and Industrial Engineering from Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. He has 15+ years of experience in regulated financial services across finance, operations, and digital product development. He founded CashControlly in Santiago, Chile, with the conviction that personal financial control should not be a privilege, but an accessible and well-designed tool.
- Master's in Finance, Universidad de Chile
- Master's in Industrial Engineering, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
- Information Systems and Management Control Engineer, Universidad de Chile
- AI and ITIL certifications
- 15+ years in regulated financial services
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