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Average U.S. Income: How Much Do Americans Earn?
What's the median U.S. income by state, gender, age, family size, and more? Read on to find out what the research says.
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Major media outlets – from Harvard Business Review to The New York Times – regularly cite our personal finance research and data insights.
The average credit score in America is 714. Find out how yours compares in this full report by Motley Fool Money.
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USA Today:
The road to 850: Five pathways to a perfect credit score
Just 1.5% of American consumers have perfect FICO credit scores, according to Motley Fool Money.
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Discover wasteful spending trends -- and how high-yield savings accounts and budgeting tools can help curb impulse buying and grow your cash.
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CNBC:
Americans say these are the top 5 things they waste the most money on
85% of Americans say they will at least occasionally spend money on an unnecessary expense, according to a survey of 2,000 Americans released by Motley Fool Money.
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Americans shelled out $104.7 billion on lottery tickets in 2024, a record high. But is playing the lottery a good investment?
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CBS News:
Powerball jackpot grows to $643 million after no winners in Monday drawing
The odds of winning the top prize are 1 in 292 million, according to Powerball. But these chances don't stop Americans from spending roughly $103 billion on lottery tickets annually, according to data from Motley Fool Money.
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Jack Caporal
Jack Caporal is the Research Director for The Motley Fool and Motley Fool Money and has worked full-time for the company since 2021. Jack leads efforts to identify and analyze trends shaping investing and personal financial decisions across the United States. His research has appeared in thousands of media outlets including Harvard Business Review, The New York Times, Bloomberg, and CNBC, and has been cited in congressional testimony. He previously covered business and economic trends as a reporter and policy analyst in Washington, D.C. He serves as Chair of the Trade Policy Committee at the World Trade Center in Denver, Colorado. He holds a B.A. degree in International Relations with a concentration in International Economics from Michigan State University.
Joel O'Leary
Joel O’Leary is a full-time Personal Finance Writer at Motley Fool Money, covering credit cards, bank accounts, investing, mortgages, and other personal finance topics. Joel has been writing about personal finance since 2018, previously leading editorial content for the How To Money podcast and serving as a resident writer at Budgets Are Sexy. He bought his first rental property at age 18, funding the down payment with savings from his high school job at McDonald’s -- a testament to his lifelong passion for smart money decisions. His work aims to make personal finance accessible and actionable for everyday readers. When he’s not writing, Joel enjoys surfing and spending time with his family.
Recent Research
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May 19, 2026 | By
Jack Caporal
Here's How Much It Costs to Raise a Child
It costs roughly $300,000 to raise a child. Read on for expenditures by category and age.
May 18, 2026 | By
Jack Caporal
Financial Firsts: When Americans Hit Their Money Milestones
Survey: 68% of Gen Z haven't bought a home. See when Americans open accounts, buy cars, invest, and hit other financial firsts, by generation.
May 18, 2026 | By
Jack Caporal
Average Savings Account Interest Rate in May 2026
The national average savings account interest rate is 0.38% APY as of May 2026, per FDIC data. See how rates have changed and where to find a better rate.
May 18, 2026 | By
Jack Caporal
The Average Checking Account Interest Rate in May 2026
The national average checking account interest rate is 0.07% APY as of May 2026, per FDIC data. See how rates compare and where to find a better rate.
May 15, 2026 | By
Jack Caporal
2026 Cryptocurrency Investor Trends Survey: Ownership Plateaus Despite Record Bitcoin Price
22% of Americans own crypto, according to Motley Fool Money's new survey on crypto ownership, sentiment, and what would make skeptics invest.
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Motley Fool Stock Disclosures
Alicia Aldrich has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Target. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.