By Islam El-Sakka
New data from the Federal Reserve’s Survey of Consumer Finances shows the median U.S. household bank account balance reached $8,200 in 2025, the second-highest level in 27 years after a peak of $8,760 in 2022. Balances have risen steadily since the Great Recession before dipping slightly in the latest survey.
Household balances over time
The Fed’s triennial survey tracks checking and savings balances across all households. After two major dips during the early 1990s slowdown and the 2007‑2010 recession, median balances climbed every three years through 2022 before the modest 2025 decline.
Age disparities
Older Americans hold the highest balances. Households headed by someone 75 or older reported a median of $14,000, while those aged 55‑74 held a median of $10,000. Most age groups saw gains from 2022 to 2025, except the 75‑plus and 55‑64 cohorts.
Education drives wealth gap
Education is the single most influential factor. College graduates held a median balance of $21,500 — $16,000 more than those with some college but no degree. Over 30 years, the graduate median more than doubled from $9,740 in 1995, while those without a high school diploma saw their median fall from $2,540 to $900.
