Just realized something that's been bugging me about this whole 'six figures' thing everyone talks about. Like, when did it stop meaning anything?

I was looking at some data from investment pros, and apparently back in the 1980s when six figures meaning was actually a flex, $100k was genuinely impressive. We're talking equivalent to almost $400k in today's money. That's wild. But here's the thing — even if you're making $400k now, does it actually feel like success?

The housing situation completely changes the math. In California, median homes are hitting almost $900k. Meanwhile in rural Midwest, $45k is closer to median income. So if you're earning six figures in Des Moines, you're doing way better than someone making the same in San Francisco. Same number, completely different reality.

I saw a CPA break this down perfectly. Two decades ago, six figures meaning was basically a ticket to upper-middle class life. You could handle housing, childcare, retirement savings without sweating it. Now? In major metros, $100k barely covers rent, taxes, healthcare, and student loans. You're left with almost nothing.

The crazy part is the cost baseline has shifted so hard. Average U.S. household is spending over $70k yearly just on basics. Add taxes and location premiums, and suddenly six figures meaning something totally different depending on where you live. In San Francisco it might feel like $40k after taxes and COL. In Des Moines? Still pretty solid.

So what actually matters now if six figures doesn't cut it anymore? The experts I was reading pointed to net worth instead. Median is around $193k, but top 10% sits at like $970k. That's the real flex. And if you're thinking retirement, Fidelity says you need 10x your annual income saved by 67. So if we're using that inflation-adjusted $400k benchmark, you're looking at $4 million in the bank.

But honestly, I think the definition of success has shifted entirely. It's not about the paycheck anymore — it's about what you can actually do with it. Can you cover 6-12 months of expenses? Can you afford a home in a place you actually want to live? Can you spend less than you earn and have room to breathe? That's the new six figures meaning. The number matters less than what it lets you do.