What Really Makes Americans Feel Rich? Charles Schwab Data Reveals It's Not Money

What does it truly mean to feel rich in America today? A groundbreaking 2025 survey from Charles Schwab analyzing 2,000 Americans aged 21-75 paints a surprising picture. The research uncovers nine distinct dimensions of wealth that go far beyond bank balances, challenging conventional assumptions about what makes people feel rich and financially satisfied.

The Relationship & Happiness Elite: What’s Worth More Than Money

The data tells a compelling story: relationships and emotional fulfillment dominate. A striking 83% of Americans report feeling wealthy when their family, friendships, and partnerships are strong. That same percentage—83%—associate happiness with genuine wealth. This parallel finding is no coincidence. People increasingly recognize that emotional richness and quality connections deliver satisfaction that money simply cannot replicate. These aren’t luxuries—they’re fundamentals of how modern Americans define feeling rich.

Time Freedom and Health: The New Wealth Markers

Control over time emerges as a powerful wealth indicator, with 81% valuing their freedom in this dimension. The ability to decide how to spend your hours—without constant pressure or constraint—represents a form of wealth many never experience, regardless of their net worth.

Just below this tier, mental and physical health tie at 79% each. Americans are recognizing that being in good shape—both mentally and physically—is inseparable from a wealthy lifestyle. This reflects a broader cultural shift: wellness isn’t a luxury add-on but core to what makes life feel rich and meaningful.

Achievements and Experiences: The Middle Ground

Personal accomplishments rank at 78%, encompassing everything from career milestones to homeownership. Similarly, life experiences—vacations, adventures, daily joys—also hit 78%. These categories show that Americans increasingly measure wealth by what they do and what they achieve, rather than what they own.

The Material Reality Check

Material possessions drop to 63%, suggesting diminishing returns on physical goods as wealth markers. While comfort and convenience matter, they don’t trigger the deep satisfaction that relationships, time, and experiences provide.

The Shocking Truth: Money Ranks Last

Here’s where the data gets truly revealing: only 49% say the amount of money they have makes them feel wealthy. Money, the traditional cornerstone of wealth, comes in dead last. This inversion challenges everything conventional wisdom suggests about financial success and reminds us that truly feeling rich depends far less on the absolute dollar amount and far more on how those dollars enable the other eight dimensions of wealth—quality time, good health, strong relationships, and meaningful experiences.

The Schwab findings suggest a fundamental reimagining of what “wealth” means to Americans in 2025, with implications for how we think about financial goals and personal fulfillment.