How Average Are You? Compare With This 12 Point Checklist

We often hear about the “average American” but what exactly does that mean? While there’s nothing wrong with being average, most would hope to rise above it. This though, can depend on what we are comparing ourselves to. For example, you may want above average intelligence but you probably don’t want above average credit card debt. Here’s a twelve point checklist on “average Americans” so you can see how you compare.

1. Student Loan Debt

If you hear recent graduates complaining about student debt, it is not without good reason. At the end of 2017, the average student graduated college with $28,650 in student loan debt.

2. House Payments

Recent statistics peg the average house payment in the United States to be about $1,030 monthly. Of course, living expenses vary dramatically across the country so using an average of 15% of monthly income may be a better gauge.

3. Age of Vehicle

The average age of vehicles on American highways today is at an all-time high. The average car on the roads is 11.8 years old, either because they are making them better or new cars are getting too expensive!

4. Savings

The average American has just over $8,800 in liquid savings in a bank or credit union. This does not include investment accounts or retirement plans.

5. Age at First Marriage

The average age at which we get married is headed upward. Today, women average 27 years old and men 29 at first marriage. That compares to 23 and 26 in 1990 and a surprisingly youthful  20 and 22 in 1960.

6. Number of States Visited

Research performed in 2016 determined that the average American has visited just 12 states in their lifetime.

7. Time Spent Daily Using a Smartphone

We love our smartphones. Recent surveys indicate we are now spending about three hours and ten minutes each day connected to our devices.

8. Time Spent CommutingWhile again this will vary by location, the average commuting time in the U.S. is just over 26 minutes each way, daily.
9. Hours Spent Sleeping

It is recommended adults get 7-9 hours of sleep nightly, but estimates say that 40% of us average less than that.

10. Household Monthly Electric Bill

The average electric bill in the U.S. is $117.65. This is based on 914-kilowatt hours of usage at an average price of 12.87 cents per kilowatt-hour.

11. Height and Weight

The average adult American man weighs about 200 lbs. and is just above 5’9″. The average American woman is said to be about 5″4″ and 159 lbs.

12. Cups of Coffee Per Day

Research indicates the average person in the United States drinks two cups of coffee per day.

Here’s to hoping that you are above average in all the ways you want to be!