What is a good net worth in the UK?
What counts as a good net worth in the UK, with median figures by age and a plain look at why the right number depends on your stage of life, not a single target.
A good net worth in the UK is one that is above the median for your age and rising over time; ONS figures put median household total wealth at around £293,700, but the right number for you depends on your age, income and goals rather than a single target.
There is no single good number
People want one figure that means they are doing well. It does not exist, and any page that gives you one is guessing.
A good net worth for a 24-year-old and a good net worth for a 60-year-old are worlds apart. Someone renting in London and someone who owns a home outright in the north face completely different sums. What counts as good depends on your age, your income, where you live and what you are aiming for.
So the honest answer is a moving target. The useful version is: good means comfortably above the typical figure for people at your stage, and heading in the right direction.
The UK median as a starting line
The Office for National Statistics measures household wealth through its Wealth and Assets Survey. The most recent figures put median household total wealth at £293,700.
One caveat matters. The ONS suspended the accreditation of these statistics in June 2025, so treat the number as a guide rather than a hard fact. It is still the best national benchmark we have.
That total is not cash in the bank. It is spread across four things:
| Where the wealth sits | Share |
|---|---|
| Property (homes) | 40% |
| Pensions | 35% |
| Financial (savings and investments) | 14% |
| Physical (cars, possessions) | 10% |
The takeaway: most household wealth in the UK is tied up in property and pensions, not in easy-access savings. If your own picture looks the same, that is completely normal.
What good looks like by age
Because age changes everything, the clearest benchmark is median net worth by the age of the household head. Here are the ONS figures.
| Age of household head | Median net worth |
|---|---|
| 16–24 | £15,200 |
| 25–34 | £109,800 |
| 35–44 | £209,600 |
| 45–54 | £301,900 |
| 55–64 | £496,500 |
| 65–74 | £502,500 |
| 75+ | £373,100 |
Wealth tends to peak in the run-up to retirement, then ease back as people draw on pensions and savings. If you are ahead of the median for your age band, that is a genuinely good sign. Our full average net worth by age guide goes deeper.
Why your own trend beats any benchmark
Benchmarks are useful for context, but they can mislead. Two things they miss:
- They are household figures. A couple pooling two pensions and a jointly owned home will show a higher number than a single person, even if both are doing equally well.
- They ignore your goals. A good net worth for someone who wants to retire at 55 is far higher than for someone happy to work to 67.
The measure that always works is your own line over time. If your net worth is higher this year than last, after real life has thrown its bills at you, you are doing well. Start with our how to calculate your net worth guide, then keep the number moving.
Why the median is not the mean
It is worth knowing why we quote the median rather than the average. The average (or mean) adds everyone up and divides by the number of households. A handful of very wealthy households drag that average far above what a typical family has.
The median is the household right in the middle — half have more, half have less. For something as unevenly spread as wealth, the median is the honest yardstick. So when a headline quotes a big average UK wealth figure, take it with a pinch of salt; the median of £293,700 is closer to most peoples reality.
How to improve your net worth
Net worth grows in three ways, and you can pull all three levers at once:
- Save more. Regular amounts into savings and ISAs add straight to your assets. The ISA allowance is £20,000 for 2026/27, and a Lifetime ISA adds a 25% government bonus on up to £4,000 a year if you qualify. Using pots for different goals helps — see savings pots and sinking funds.
- Owe less. Paying down credit cards and loans shrinks the liabilities side of the sum, which lifts your net worth pound for pound. High-interest debt is usually the first thing to tackle.
- Let assets grow. Pensions and investments tend to build over years, which is why starting early matters so much. Workplace pension matching from an employer is close to free money towards your net worth.
None of this is about a single lucky leap. It is small, steady moves that show up on the line over time. Track them in one place with net worth tracking and the change becomes visible, which makes it far easier to keep going.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good net worth for a 30-year-old in the UK?
The median for the 25 to 34 age band is £109,800 of household total wealth, much of it pension and property. Being near or above that for your household is a good sign, but treat the figure as a guide.
Is net worth per person or per household?
The ONS figures are per household, so a couple will usually show a higher number than a single person. Keep that in mind when you compare yourself to the benchmark.
Does a good net worth mean lots of cash?
Not usually. Across the UK, property and pensions make up about 75% of household wealth, with savings and investments a smaller slice. A healthy net worth is often mostly locked in a home and a pension.
Should I aim for a specific net worth target?
A personal target tied to your goals, such as a house deposit or a retirement figure, is far more useful than a national average. The average is context, not a finish line.
How do I compare my net worth fairly?
Compare against your own past first, then against the median for your age band. Both matter more than a single headline number. Our net worth calculator gives you the figure to compare.