What it takes to have a ‘high net worth’ in America heading into 2027 (being a millionaire isn’t enough). Are you part of the rare group?

The bar is much higher

New analysis by the Visa Business and Economic Insights (VBEI) group found that rising asset prices and diminishing purchasing power have noticeably raised the bar for “affluence” in recent years. In 2019, a household with a net worth of just $1.3 million would be in the top 10% of all American households. In 2024, that threshold surged 44% to $1.8 million.

The group also found a similar pattern when comparing household income. To be above 90% of households, you would need $210,000 in income in 2023, up from $170,000 in 2019.

The bar for affluence also varies widely by location. A household in California, for instance, would need about $236,000 in annual income and $2 million in net worth to be in the top 10%, whereas the threshold in Arkansas is $182,000 in income and $1.6 million in net worth.

In other words, the bar is high for everyone, but much higher in the country's most affluent areas. If you’re curious about how to break into the top 10% club, a few strategies can help you beat the odds.

Breaking into the 10% club

Wealthy households have relied on a booming stock market and a robust real estate sector to build wealth. With that in mind, if you’re looking to add capital and income in 2027, these two asset classes could be essential.

If you’re not sure where to start with these assets, services like Moby and mogul could make them more accessible.

Moby offers expert research and recommendations to help you identify strong, long-term investments backed by advice from former hedge fund analysts.

In four years, and across almost 400 stock picks, their recommendations have beaten the S&P 500 by almost 12% on average. They also offer a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Moby’s team spends hundreds of hours sifting through financial news and data to provide you with stock and crypto reports delivered straight to you. Their research keeps you up-to-the-minute on market shifts and can help you reduce the guesswork behind choosing stocks and ETFs.

Plus, their reports are easy to understand for beginners, so you can become a smarter investor in just five minutes.

Meanwhile, mogul is a real estate investment platform that offers fractional ownership in blue-chip rental properties, which gives investors monthly rental income, real-time appreciation and tax benefits — without the need for a hefty down payment or 3 a.m. tenant calls.