Most Americans simply can’t afford it – report.

A report by Investopedia – a financial data publisher – suggests that the so-called American Dream, which encompasses economic opportunities and freedoms the United States used to be envied for in the world, may no longer be valid.

In 2024, the American Dream had a tag price of more than $4.44 million, an amount that was over $1 million more than most individual Americans earn in a lifetime.

This dream is feasible somewhat for households with dual incomes, according to the analysis based on data from the Georgetown University Center on Education and the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.

It says the average Bachelor’s degree holder in the U.S. earns about $2.8 million during their career, with women earning $2.4 million and men earning $3.3 million.

When looking at the data by household, the average U.S. household of two earners holding Bachelor’s degrees has lifetime earnings of $5.6 million.

Those with lower education rarely earn as much.

The total cost ($4.44 million) includes the minimum savings for retirement – which accounts for the largest cost; expenses for raising two children; car ownership; house ownership; and pets - to name a few.

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But it is only a part of the overall costs associating with comfortable living as the calculations do not cover important baseline necessities such as food, healthcare, insurance, or fuels.

Additionally, structural factors such as the racial wealth gap and gender wage gap, along with the rising cost of living, have made elements of the American Dream increasingly unattainable for many.

The American Dream will be even farther in 2025 following President Donald Trump’s decision to reignite trade wars and to remove a number of social benefits for the working class.

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