I did the income by zip code link first and had some fun insights: apparently I live in one of the lowest income zip codes in San Francisco! I live in a very nice neighborhood, but didn't realize I'm right up in the corner of my zip code which stretches down into a lower income area, while the rest of what's considered my "neighborhood" is just over the boundary of the next zip code over. I'm still below median for the zip code, despite it being closer to the bottom for the area.
As far as their three metrics for determining if an income is "middle class," I qualify for two out of three: my income is close enough to median, but too close to the poverty line. Only half of people in my income group have a three-month emergency fund, and only 22% of people in my income group feel on track to retirement, so that's where I become a privileged bougie person.
Then checking the correct link on net worth, the fact that the lowest age bracket is "34 and under" makes for a broad comparison. My net worth is lower than 87.5% of households, and lower than 70% of "households like yours," (under 35, college degree, no partner).
Of course, my distribution of assets looks very different from any of the wealth brackets, because I have 0% vehicle, 0% primary residence, and 30% "other assets" (musical instruments).
Increasing my income is a primary goal for this year. Regardless of what happens in my career, I feel like I'm well equipped to win the money game in life.
