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Charted: Median Income by Household Size in the U.S.
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Key Takeaways
- The median U.S. household income stands at $81,604 as of 2024.
- Households with seven or more people earn the highest median income, at around $126,000.
- Single-person households earn less than half the income of two-person households.
Household income in the United States varies widely depending on how many people live under one roof.
Larger households often have multiple earners, while smaller households rely on a single income, shaping large gaps in median household earnings. However, on a per-person basis, smaller households are relatively better off.
This infographic shows median household income by household size in the United States, using data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) 2024 1-Year Estimates.
How Income Changes With Household Size
Median household income generally rises as household size increases, reflecting the growing likelihood of multiple earners contributing to total income.
The table below shows median household income by household size in the U.S.:
| Household size | Median household income |
|---|---|
| One person | $42,124 |
| Two people | $90,465 |
| Three people | $107,126 |
| Four people | $124,990 |
| Five people | $119,003 |
| Six people | $118,348 |
| Seven or more people | $126,072 |
Single-person households report a median income of $42,124, highlighting the financial constraints faced by individuals relying on a single paycheck. Two-person households more than double that figure, earning a median of $90,465.
Income continues to rise for three- and four-person households, reaching $124,990 for four-person households. This group often includes dual-income families with children, combining higher earnings with shared living costs.
Income Plateaus for Larger Households
Interestingly, median income levels off, and even dips slightly, for households with five or six people. Five-person households earn a median of $119,003, while six-person households earn $118,348.
These larger households may include more dependents relative to earners, such as children or extended family members, which can limit earning potential. Meanwhile, households with seven or more people show a slight rebound, reporting a median income of $126,072.
Per-Person Median Income by Household Size
Higher median incomes don’t always mean higher living standards. While larger households tend to earn more in absolute terms, their incomes per person are relatively lower.
For instance, two-person households make the most median income per person at over $45,000, and this figure continues declining as households get larger. In seven-person homes, the median household income of $126,072 translates to just over $18,000 per person.
Larger families also face higher housing, food, healthcare, and childcare costs, which can offset absolute income gains. With these financial constraints in mind, the average U.S. household has evolved significantly—as of 2023, around 58% of U.S. households consisted of married or single adults with no children.
Learn More on the Voronoi App
If you found this breakdown useful, explore more income and cost-of-living insights on Voronoi, including The Income a Family Needs to be Middle Class in Every State.