The Average American

The Average American

Pittsburgh, PA · Member since 2015 · 179 posts · 115 votes

The Average American, or Average Joe (Josephine), is something we hear a lot about.  They have an average amount of credit card debt, an average amount of cars, and average amount of kids, etc.  This is all well and good, but averages are, just, well averages.  There are people above and people below (duh).  But I wanted to figure out how they stacked up to the Average BiggerPockets member.  Here are the stats:

Age - Male, 36 | Female, 39

Kids - 2.5 kids

Cars - 2.28 cars per household

Household Income - $53,657 (Male $53,684 | Female $36,151 with Married Couples Averaging $81,025)

Average Home Price - $188,900

Mortgage Debt - $110,000 per household

Retirement Account Balances - ~$63,000 in this age bracket

Vehicle Debt - $26,530

Student Debt - $30,100

Credit Card Debt - $5,747

Note: These figures (with the exception of credit card debt) are for individuals who HAVE these types of loans, it excludes people with no debt, however, I would assume that the Average American owes money on a car or student loans.  PM me if you're an auditor and want to verify my numbers. 

How do you stack up against the Average American?  If you WERE (or ARE) the Average American, what exactly would you do to get into a better financial position by the time this Average American turns 50?  How can real estate help Joe and Josephine get to above average?

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Real Estate Investor · Macedon, NY · Member since 2016 · 251 posts · 290 votes
9y
Peter T. , only if you're above average!
See this reply in the discussion

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  • Property Manager · Livonia, MI · Member since 2011 · 4k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    9y

    you will not get any real responses. You are essentially asking people to tell I what they make and keep. With names associated to the details. Won't happen 

  • Bryce LitwinPro Member
    Danville, PA · Member since 2015 · 58 posts · 58 votes
    9y

    Well, I'm above average...

  • Investor · Colorado Springs, CO · Member since 2015 · 252 posts · 131 votes
    9y

    @James Triano

    My advice for the average American is to eliminate debts on items that do not generate income. Never leave a balance on a credit card from statement to statement. Do not buy new vehicles instead go for slightly used vehicles. Seek to streamline use of your monthly income. This does not mean cutting out things that you love, just reducing the income leakage that everyone has via more thoughtful spending decisions and better tracking of expenses. Doing these things will increase the control they have over their money and allow them to better plan and achieve financial goals.

    Allen

  • JD MartinBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Rock Star Extraordinaire · Northeast, TN · Member since 2015 · 10k+ posts · 16k+ votes
    9y
    Skyline Properties
    View Page
  • Levi T.Pro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Tucson AZ / Nice FR / Washington DC · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    9y

    You always see these "Average American" reports.. they are useless.. Most the income, and people, are on the east or west coast. Buffalo County SD has an average household income of 22k with a state wide average of 50k, while on the east coast, Maryland, it's $76,000. If your anywhere within 40 miles or less of any major city on the east or west coast, your likely clocking 80k-100k+. Middle America is extremely poor.

  • Investor · Colorado Springs, CO · Member since 2015 · 252 posts · 131 votes
    9y

    @Levi T.

    Great point. I always laugh when I read these "Average ..." (fill in the blank). If the report is that general then the only advice you can give is general. Thus my post above.

    Allen Fletcher

  • Peter TverdovBusiness Member
    Developer · New Brunswick, NJ · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    9y

    Would you like our SSN's as well? 

  • Real Estate Investor · Macedon, NY · Member since 2016 · 251 posts · 290 votes
    9y
    Peter T. , only if you're above average!
  • Guy with Great Hair · Austin, TX · Member since 2013 · 2k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    9y

    Stacking against the average is highly unproductive.

    If you're below average, you gotta work harder

    if you're average, you gotta work harder

    if you're above average, you gotta work harder.

    Find someone WAY above average and start striving for that. Being above average isn't an accomplishment, half of everyone is above average. Nothing to be too proud of.

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