• One in three Americans earning $100,000 annually describe themselves as financially distressed
• More than half say they would need to double their income to feel financially secure
• Three-quarters of high earners recently used credit cards after running out of cash

NATIONWIDE (TDR) — A six-figure salary no longer guarantees financial stability in America, according to a new Harris Poll survey revealing that high earners are struggling to make ends meet despite their substantial incomes.

The survey, released November 14, reached 2,109 Americans, including 728 who earn at least $100,000 annually. The findings paint a stark picture of economic anxiety gripping even well-compensated workers. One in three six-figure earners described themselves as financially distressed, while two in three said their income is not a sign of wealth.

The new reality for high earners

Libby Rodney, chief strategy officer and futurist at The Harris Poll, said the perception of six-figure salaries has fundamentally shifted. People once viewed reaching $100,000 or above as a milestone of financial stability, but now see it merely as surviving and being in survival mode.

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The survey found high earners were more likely than other consumers to use credit cards when cash runs short. They were also more likely to use Buy Now, Pay Later financing for everyday purchases. Some reported selling personal items, cutting back on medical care, and even skipping meals to manage their finances.

Three-quarters of six-figure earners said they had used a credit card recently because they ran out of cash, highlighting the paycheck-to-paycheck reality facing many high-income households.

More than half of six-figure earners said they would have to double their income to feel financially secure

Inflation’s lingering impact

Like the rest of America, high earners are coping with years of cumulative inflation. Consumer prices have risen at least 24% since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Bankrate. Today, prices are at least 24% higher than at the start of 2020, meaning Americans need about $1,243 to buy what cost $1,000 before the pandemic.

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The notion that high-salary workers are struggling rings counter-intuitive. Economic data shows high-income Americans increasingly power the economy, spending freely at a time when less affluent households are pinched. The top 10% of earners drive more than 49% of all consumer spending, the highest level in decades, according to research by Mark Zandi, chief economist of Moody’s Analytics.

However, rising home values and record-breaking stock returns have only benefited wealthy Americans who already own assets, leaving many six-figure earners struggling to build wealth. Housing costs have surged 28% since early 2020, while grocery prices have climbed nearly 25%, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Geography matters

The value of a six-figure income varies dramatically by location. A 2025 analysis by LendingTree found that families could earn six figures in many American cities and still feel broke. In 25 of the 100 largest metropolitan areas, average monthly spending on basic expenses would exceed monthly income for a family of three with $100,000 in earnings.

Six-figure earners are concentrated in the largest and most expensive metropolitan areas where living costs are higher, according to economists. A person earning $200,000 in Manhattan faces vastly different financial pressures than someone earning the same amount in Toledo, Ohio.

The income paradox

The Harris Poll titled its survey the Income Paradox Survey, reflecting contradictory signals about today’s economy. While consumer confidence runs low and households report financial stress, aggregate economic indicators suggest strength. This disconnect reveals how traditional measures of economic health may not capture the daily struggles of American families, even those with substantial incomes.

The findings align with broader trends showing Americans across income levels facing affordability challenges. The combination of persistent inflation, elevated housing costs, and stagnant purchasing power has created a new normal where six-figure salaries no longer provide the security they once promised.

Is a six-figure income still the benchmark for financial success in today’s economy?

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