How does your net worth compare to other Canadians your age? This page breaks down average and median net worth by age group using Statistics Canada data, with percentile tables so you can see exactly where you stand.
For overall net worth statistics (not broken down by age), see Canadian Net Worth: Average vs Median.
Net worth by age: average vs median
The table below shows both the average and median net worth for each age group. The gap between the two reveals how much high-net-worth outliers skew the numbers.
| Age Group | Average Net Worth | Median Net Worth | Gap (Avg vs Median) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 35 | $337,816 | $159,100 | 2.1× |
| 35 to 44 | $657,582 | $409,300 | 1.6× |
| 45 to 54 | $1,346,291 | $675,800 | 2.0× |
| 55 to 64 | $1,595,886 | $873,400 | 1.8× |
| 65 and over | $1,123,174 | $738,900 | 1.5× |
Key insight: The median is the better benchmark. If your net worth is at or above the median for your age group, you are doing better than at least half of Canadian families in your cohort.
Source: Statistics Canada, Survey of Financial Security (SFS).
Net worth percentiles by age group
These tables show where you rank relative to your peers. The 50th percentile is the median — half of families have more, half have less.
Under 35
| Percentile | Net Worth |
|---|---|
| 10th | −$15,000 |
| 25th | $35,000 |
| 50th (median) | $159,100 |
| 75th | $425,000 |
| 90th | $850,000 |
| Average | $337,816 |
At the 10th percentile, Canadians under 35 have negative net worth — meaning their debts (student loans, credit cards) exceed their assets. By the 75th percentile, most have accumulated significant home equity or investment savings.
35 to 44
| Percentile | Net Worth |
|---|---|
| 10th | $15,000 |
| 25th | $150,000 |
| 50th (median) | $409,300 |
| 75th | $875,000 |
| 90th | $1,650,000 |
| Average | $657,582 |
This is the decade where homeownership creates the biggest divergence. Homeowners at age 40 with 5-10 years of mortgage payments have substantial equity, while renters may have higher liquid savings but lower total net worth.
45 to 54
| Percentile | Net Worth |
|---|---|
| 10th | $30,000 |
| 25th | $250,000 |
| 50th (median) | $675,800 |
| 75th | $1,500,000 |
| 90th | $3,200,000 |
| Average | $1,346,291 |
Peak earning years. Employer pensions begin to add significant value. The gap between the 10th and 90th percentile widens to over $3 million, reflecting the compounding effects of investment returns.
55 to 64
| Percentile | Net Worth |
|---|---|
| 10th | $40,000 |
| 25th | $325,000 |
| 50th (median) | $873,400 |
| 75th | $1,900,000 |
| 90th | $4,000,000 |
| Average | $1,595,886 |
The peak accumulation age group. Many Canadians at this stage have paid off or nearly paid off their mortgage, maximizing their home equity. This is the age when serious retirement planning becomes critical — use our retirement calculator to assess whether you are on track.
65 and over
| Percentile | Net Worth |
|---|---|
| 10th | $25,000 |
| 25th | $235,000 |
| 50th (median) | $738,900 |
| 75th | $1,450,000 |
| 90th | $3,000,000 |
| Average | $1,123,174 |
Net worth declines from the 55-64 group as retirees begin drawing down savings through RRIF withdrawals, spending home equity, or downsizing. Those with employer defined-benefit pensions may have lower visible net worth but strong guaranteed income streams.
What should your net worth be at each age?
A common rule of thumb is the salary multiplier approach — your net worth should be a multiple of your annual gross salary at each age:
| Age | Target | Example ($70K Salary) | Example ($100K Salary) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | Emergency fund + positive net worth | $10,000+ | $15,000+ |
| 30 | 1× salary | $70,000 | $100,000 |
| 35 | 2× salary | $140,000 | $200,000 |
| 40 | 3× salary | $210,000 | $300,000 |
| 45 | 4× salary | $280,000 | $400,000 |
| 50 | 5–6× salary | $350,000–$420,000 | $500,000–$600,000 |
| 55 | 7× salary | $490,000 | $700,000 |
| 60 | 8× salary | $560,000 | $800,000 |
| 65 | 10× salary | $700,000 | $1,000,000 |
Important caveats:
- These targets include home equity. If you exclude your home, the targets are much lower.
- Canadians with a defined-benefit pension (government, teacher, etc.) need less personal savings because the pension replaces a significant portion of retirement income.
- The targets assume you want to maintain your current lifestyle in retirement. If you plan to downsize significantly, you may need less.
Net worth by province
Geography matters. Housing costs and local economies create significant differences in net worth by province:
| Province | Average Net Worth | Median Net Worth |
|---|---|---|
| British Columbia | $1,265,400 | $773,500 |
| Ontario | $1,165,400 | $665,600 |
| Alberta | $942,800 | $457,100 |
| Saskatchewan | $824,800 | $394,600 |
| Quebec | $752,400 | $371,000 |
| Manitoba | $746,400 | $386,300 |
| PEI | $681,100 | $399,800 |
| Nova Scotia | $681,700 | $354,600 |
| Newfoundland | $664,800 | $333,500 |
| New Brunswick | $506,400 | $286,200 |
British Columbia and Ontario lead largely due to real estate values — homeowners in these provinces sit on significant home equity even if they have moderate incomes and investment portfolios. If you excluded the principal residence, the provincial differences would narrow considerably.
What’s included in net worth?
| Assets (What You Own) | Liabilities (What You Owe) |
|---|---|
| Principal residence (market value) | Mortgage balance |
| Other real estate | HELOC balance |
| RRSP / RRIF / LIRA | Car loans |
| TFSA | Student loans |
| FHSA | Credit card balances |
| RESP | Personal loans / lines of credit |
| Non-registered investments | Other debts |
| Employer pension plan value | |
| Vehicles | |
| Cash and savings accounts | |
| Business equity |
Net Worth = Total Assets − Total Liabilities
The homeownership effect
The single biggest factor separating high- and low-net-worth Canadians is homeownership. The data is stark:
| Family Type | Median Net Worth |
|---|---|
| Homeowner families | ~$825,000 |
| Renter families | ~$45,000 |
Homeowners have roughly 18× the median net worth of renters. This gap is driven by:
- Forced savings — Mortgage payments build equity automatically
- Leverage — A 20% down payment buys 100% of the asset’s appreciation
- Home price appreciation — Canadian home prices have risen significantly over the past two decades
- Tax-free capital gain — The principal residence exemption means all gains are tax-free
This doesn’t mean homeownership is the right choice for everyone — see the rent vs buy calculator for a full comparison — but it explains why the data shows such a large gap.
How to build net worth at any age
In your 20s: build the foundation
- Eliminate high-interest debt (credit cards first, then student loans)
- Build a 3-month emergency fund
- Start contributing to a TFSA — even small amounts compound over 40+ years
- Start investing early — time in the market matters more than timing the market
In your 30s: accelerate growth
- Maximize TFSA and start RRSP contributions (especially if your marginal rate is above 30%)
- Consider homeownership if it makes financial sense for your market
- Increase income through career moves — this is often the highest-impact decade for salary growth
- Avoid lifestyle inflation — direct raises toward savings
In your 40s: compound and protect
- Ensure you’re on track for retirement using the retirement calculator
- Maximize employer pension matching if available
- Consider your mortgage payoff strategy — accelerating payments builds equity faster
- Start planning for children’s education with RESP
In your 50s: prepare for retirement
- Project your retirement income: CPP + OAS + pension + personal savings
- Decide on a decumulation strategy (RRSP → RRIF timing, TFSA withdrawal order)
- Pay off all debt, including the mortgage if possible
- Consider downsizing to unlock home equity
In your 60s+: draw down strategically
- Optimize RRIF withdrawals to minimize tax
- Claim CPP at the right age (delaying to 70 increases payments by 42%)
- Consider OAS clawback thresholds when planning withdrawals
- Ensure estate planning is in order
Related tools
- Net Worth: Average vs Median in Canada — Overall statistics without age breakdown
- Income Percentile Calculator — How does your income compare?
- Retirement Calculator — Are you on track for retirement?
- TFSA Calculator — Project your TFSA growth
- RRSP Calculator — Project your RRSP growth
- Compound Interest Calculator — See the power of compounding
- Mortgage Affordability Calculator — How much home can you afford?