Baby boomers control more than half of all U.S. household wealth—almost $90 trillion by the end of 2025—translating to an average net worth of $1.6 million per person, according to Investopedia’s analysis of Federal Reserve data released May 22, 2026. Yet this headline figure masks stark disparities within the generation itself, with median net worth sitting far lower at roughly $370,000.
The wealth concentration among baby boomers reflects decades of economic advantages. Born between 1946 and 1964, this generation entered adulthood during the post-World War II economic expansion when housing was far more affordable and many benefited from employer-funded pensions or decades of stock market gains. Much of their wealth is locked in home equity and retirement accounts rather than liquid cash available for spending.
Data from Statista shows that baby boomers owned 51.2 percent of total U.S. wealth in the fourth quarter of 2025, a share that has remained remarkably stable even as younger generations grow larger. This concentration is even more pronounced at the top: the Pew Research Center found in February 2026 that the top 10 percent of baby boomer households held 71 percent of all boomer wealth, highlighting significant inequality within the generation itself.
The typical 65-to-74-year-old boomer owns a home valued at roughly $320,000 and has accumulated about $200,000 in retirement savings, Investopedia reported. However, regional variation is substantial—a $350,000 house in San Francisco represents far less wealth than the same price tag in Dayton, Ohio, where median home values are significantly lower. Some boomers are renting with little saved, while others face high healthcare costs or caregiving responsibilities that strain their finances.
This accumulated wealth is now beginning to transfer to younger generations. CNBC reported on June 24, 2026 that an estimated $83.5 trillion is expected to pass from baby boomers and older entrepreneurs to their children and charitable causes over the next two decades. This represents one of the largest wealth transfers in history, though analysts caution that the benefits will be distributed unevenly, with wealthier families passing down substantially more than middle and lower-income households.
Sources
- Investopedia — Baby boomer average net worth of $1.6 million and median of $370,000; home equity and retirement account composition; regional wealth variation
- Statista — Baby boomers held 51.2% of U.S. wealth in Q4 2025
- Pew Research Center — Top 10% of boomer households held 71% of total boomer wealth in 2022
- CNBC — $83.5 trillion wealth transfer expected over next two decades
