A new study by financial planner Empower has shed light on the relationship between money and happiness in America. According to the survey, 59% of Americans believe that money can buy happiness, with a cost of around $1.2 million. Two-thirds equate financial happiness with being debt-free and making on-time bill payments, while just 17% said net worth defines financial happiness.
The survey, which polled 2,034 Americans over the age of 18 from August 7th to August 14th, found that the most common words associated with financial happiness are freedom, security, and relief. The average salary respondents said would make them happy was $284,167 per year, with men’s price point being significantly higher at $381,000 compared to an average of $183,000 for women.
There was also a significant generational divide in the study, with Millennials listing the highest average salary at $525,000 while Generation Z said their average salary would be $128,000. Boomers listed their average salary at $124,000 and Generation X listed theirs at $130