Perceptions of what constitutes being "rich" in the United States vary widely depending on geographic location, age, and lifestyle expectations, but modern economic surveys and consumer sentiment polls generally point to a net worth of several million dollars. According to major financial institution wealth surveys, Americans often report that a net worth exceeding two to five million dollars feels genuinely wealthy, as it typically generates enough passive investment income to sustain an affluent lifestyle without active employment. In high-cost-of-living metropolitan areas like New York or San Francisco, thresholds perceived as wealthy are significantly higher due to inflated real estate and service costs compared to rural regions.