Just looked at some 2021 Census data on what it actually takes to be in the top 5% earners across the US, and the gap is wild. You'd think there's one number, but nope - it ranges from like $180k in Mississippi to $250k+ in places like California, New York, and Connecticut. What's crazy is how much MORE the top 5% makes compared to the median. In DC and New York, they're earning 7-7.6x the median household income. In some states it's closer to 5-5.5x. Makes you think about net worth of top 5 percent in world terms too - the US threshold is already pretty high, but globally? That $250k puts you in an entirely different league. The income multiplier thing really shows the wealth concentration. Like in Florida and DC, being in that top 5% means you're making 7x what the average person in your state brings home. Interesting to see how geography totally changes what 'rich' actually means. Some states you need $200k to crack the top tier, others it's $250k minimum.