American households spend around $6,080 per month on average on an income of $94,003, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data from 2022. Between 2020 and 2022, average incomes rose by 7.5%, but annual expenditures rose by 9%. The gap between earning and spending puts considerable pressure on households to pay their bills while also trying to save for the future. Government data shows the most recent savings rate for January was 3.8%, based on a percentage of personal disposable income.
When planning for retirement, many Americans rely on their 401(k) savings as a key component of their financial strategy. However, recent data suggests that the median 401(k) balance is much lower than many people might expect. According to a report from Vanguard titled "How America Saves 2023," the average 401(k) balance varies significantly by age group. According to Vanguard's data, here are the average and median balances: Age Average Account Balance Median Account Balance Under 25 $5,236 $1