The U.S. median household income climbed to a record high in 2025, even as Americans continued facing elevated costs for housing, food and other essentials.
According to new Census Bureau data, inflation-adjusted median household income increased 2.6% to $87,460. The agency said it was the highest level recorded since it began tracking the measure in 1967.
Median earnings for full-time, year-round workers showed little overall movement, although women’s earnings increased 3.2%.
The report said income growth comes as affordability remains a major concern for households, with grocery, utility and housing costs still high. Median income had been largely stagnant during the Biden administration before recovering to its pre-pandemic inflation-adjusted peak in 2023.
The Census measure excludes capital gains, meaning it does not fully capture wealth gains from rising stock markets.
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Median household income hit record high of $87,460 in 2025 https://t.co/wX4o0DgGqE
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) September 15, 2026
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