What Two-Thirds of Americans Get Wrong About Making It Big Financially

A 2025 FlexJobs survey reveals something striking: roughly two-thirds of Americans (64%) believe hitting six figures is the golden ticket to financial success. Nearly half (49%) specifically point to the $101,000-$250,000 range as the success zone. But here’s where it gets messy.

Earning $250,000 annually doesn’t guarantee you feel wealthy. Similarly, someone making $85,000 might feel genuinely secure. The gap isn’t about the number itself—it’s about what you do with it. As Lon Welsh, founder of Ironton Capital, explains: “The real difference comes down to how you define ‘enough,’ your debt situation, what you owe to dependents, and whether money is left over after bills.”

The Geography Factor Changes Everything

Your zip code dramatically reshapes what “success” actually means. According to Numbeo’s cost of living index, Kansas City is 48.3% cheaper than New York City. Put another way: you’d need to earn $100,000 annually in New York to match the lifestyle of someone earning just $51,700 in Kansas City.

This matters because two-thirds of people comparing themselves nationally are missing a crucial truth—they’re not comparing apples to apples. A mid-level salary in rural America stretches infinitely further than the same amount in major metros.

Debt Is the Wealth Killer Nobody Talks About

Here’s what drains purchasing power faster than any expense: lingering debt. Someone carrying $100,000 in student loans watches a chunk of every paycheck disappear before they can even breathe. Finance expert Melanie Musson points out the obvious: “You simply need to earn more to feel comfortable when debt is eating your income.”

A Citizens Bank survey from October found that nearly two-thirds (64%) of young adults define financial success as the simple absence of debt. That’s telling. It suggests that for many people, the number matters less than the feeling of being free from obligations.

The Savings Secret Two-Thirds Miss

Income tells half the story. Spending tells the other half. Someone earning $50,000 and saving $10,000 yearly will outpace someone bringing in $250,000 but spending $249,000. Wealth compounds—but only if you actually have it.

This is where real financial independence begins: when your investments and passive income streams work for you, reducing your dependence on a paycheck. Eventually, you reach a point where work becomes optional, not obligatory.

Success Is Actually About Freedom

When Americans talk about needing a certain salary to feel successful, they’re using numbers as shorthand for something deeper: autonomy. The FlexJobs data backs this up—two-thirds (65%) of respondents said they’d reject a higher-paying job if it conflicted with their personal well-being.

Michael Harris, a financial planner, cuts through the noise: “Your definition of success is entirely personal. What you ‘need’ depends on your values, not some external benchmark.”

The real conversation isn’t about hitting six figures. It’s about whether your income supports the life you actually want to live. Money becomes powerful when it’s a tool for your priorities, not a scorecard for comparison.