Household Income, Wages & Living Standards · U.S. Census Bureau
U.S. Median Household Income by Year (Nominal vs. Real 1984-2025)
Median household income is the benchmark gauge of middle-class American living standards, marking the exact 50th percentile of household pre-tax money income. In 2025, median household income recorded 87,460USD (Nominal), compared with 83,160 in 2024. Across the 42-year archive (1984-2025), readings have ranged between 22,420 (1984) and 87,460 (2025).
Series Summary Ledger
- 2025 Reading87,460
- 2024 Reading83,160
- All-Time High (2025)87,460
- All-Time Low (1984)22,420
- Reporting UnitUSD (Nominal)
- Series CodeMEHOINUSA646N / MEHOINUSA672N
U.S. Census Bureau · 1984-2025
U.S. Median Household Income by Year (Nominal vs. Real 1984-2025)
2025 Reading: 87,460 USD (Nominal)
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DECADE BENCHMARKS (1950s-2020s)
Median Household Income by Decade
| Decade | Mean | Min | Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 25,523 | 22,420 | 28,910 |
| 1990s | 34,038 | 29,940 | 40,700 |
| 2000s | 45,912 | 41,990 | 50,300 |
| 2010s | 56,618 | 49,280 | 68,700 |
| 2020s | 77,433 | 68,010 | 87,460 |
Median Household Income Year-by-Year Historical Table (1984-2025)
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (MEHOINUSA646N / MEHOINUSA672N)| Year | Median Household Income (USD (Nominal)) | Annual Change | Real Income (2025 CPI-U Adjusted USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 87,460 | +4300 | 87,460.00 |
| 2024 | 83,160 | +2550 | 85,210.00 |
| 2023 | 80,610 | +6030 | 84,730.00 |
| 2022 | 74,580 | +3800 | 81,460.00 |
| 2021 | 70,780 | +2770 | 83,270.00 |
| 2020 | 68,010 | -690 | 83,590.00 |
| 2019 | 68,700 | +5520 | 85,320.00 |
| 2018 | 63,180 | +2040 | 79,620.00 |
| 2017 | 61,140 | +2100 | 78,600.00 |
| 2016 | 59,040 | +2520 | 77,230.00 |
| 2015 | 56,520 | +2860 | 74,590.00 |
| 2014 | 53,660 | +70 | 70,760.00 |
| 2013 | 53,590 | +2570 | 71,670.00 |
| 2012 | 51,020 | +970 | 69,070.00 |
| 2011 | 50,050 | +770 | 69,070.00 |
| 2010 | 49,280 | -500 | 70,110.00 |
| 2009 | 49,780 | -520 | 71,790.00 |
| 2008 | 50,300 | +70 | 72,260.00 |
| 2007 | 50,230 | +2030 | 74,810.00 |
| 2006 | 48,200 | +1870 | 73,620.00 |
| 2005 | 46,330 | +2000 | 72,810.00 |
| 2004 | 44,330 | +1010 | 71,700.00 |
| 2003 | 43,320 | +910 | 71,810.00 |
| 2002 | 42,410 | +180 | 71,770.00 |
| 2001 | 42,230 | +240 | 72,350.00 |
| 2000 | 41,990 | +1290 | 73,560.00 |
| 1999 | 40,700 | +1810 | 73,760.00 |
| 1998 | 38,890 | +1880 | 71,930.00 |
| 1997 | 37,010 | +1520 | 69,390.00 |
| 1996 | 35,490 | +1410 | 67,980.00 |
| 1995 | 34,080 | +1820 | 66,990.00 |
| 1994 | 32,260 | +1020 | 64,930.00 |
| 1993 | 31,240 | +600 | 64,240.00 |
| 1992 | 30,640 | +510 | 64,560.00 |
| 1991 | 30,130 | +190 | 65,100.00 |
| 1990 | 29,940 | +1030 | 67,050.00 |
| 1989 | 28,910 | +1680 | 67,880.00 |
| 1988 | 27,230 | +1170 | 66,740.00 |
| 1987 | 26,060 | +1160 | 66,250.00 |
| 1986 | 24,900 | +1280 | 65,430.00 |
| 1985 | 23,620 | +1200 | 63,090.00 |
| 1984 | 22,420 | - | 61,910.00 |