A six-figure salary used to mean stability. Today, more Americans say it barely covers the basics.
That is the message coming from a recent Harris Poll, which shows that in 2025, a six-figure income is starting to feel like a struggle.
The survey reached more than 2,000 adults nationwide, including over 700 people earning at least $100,000 per year. One in three respondents reported feeling financially distressed. Two in three said that a six-figure salary is not a sign of wealth. And three-quarters said they had recently used a credit card because they had run out of cash. More than half said they would need to double their income to feel financially secure.
Part of the strain comes from cumulative inflation. Prices surged during the pandemic and have not since returned to their previous levels. Since 2020, costs have climbed at least 24%, according to Bankrate. Even though inflation slowed to around 3% this year, households are still paying higher prices that were locked in over the past several years.
Dr. Munir Quddus, a professor of economics at Prairie View A&M University, says the tension reflects shifting expectations. He recalls reading about a stockbroker who makes well above six figures yet insists that “he feels poor” and believes the real poverty line should be closer to $140,000. Quddus says the comparison falls short.
“He’s confusing the poverty line with middle-income status,” he says. “Real poverty is when people cannot meet the rent and have to struggle with groceries every month.”
Many people on social media chimed in on the topic. Financial influencers like Denise, the Money Mindset Mentor, shared how she landed a $ 185,000 salary, yet only had $23 in savings, and still lived paycheck to paycheck. It was due to her money management style.
“I was watching everyone buy homes, start families, travel the world, and I would remember thinking, I did everything right… ‘Why the F**k would I feel stuck? ‘ she explained. “You cannot budget your way to freedom if your mindset is still in survival mode. I stopped trying to just earn more, and I started learning how money actually works.”
Six-figure earners told Harris Poll they are cutting back on medical care, selling personal items, and in some cases skipping meals. Many said they rely on credit cards or Buy Now Pay Later services to manage cash flow. High earners were actually more likely than lower-income households to use these tools when money gets tight.
Those whose income is variable may be better able to buffer their expenses than those on a salary. A business owner can raise prices in an inflationary period. A teacher or social worker cannot. Salaries do not update as quickly as everyday costs. And households with higher incomes often take on higher expectations, larger homes, and pricier lifestyle habits, which makes any increase in the cost of living feel sharper.
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Many people lack sufficient discipline and become entangled in the trap of overspending. Quddus recommends simple habits such as cutting back on luxuries, making firm grocery lists, using coupons, avoiding impulse buys, and “set aside something from your salary in a very disciplined way so that you have a cushion.” He also encourages long-term investing, especially in stocks.
