'American Dream' Costs Now Estimated at $3.4 Million

Rising costs of key life milestones push the traditional image of success out of reach for many Americans, according to a new analysis.

The 'American Dream' now costs an estimated $3,455,305, according to a new analysis by Investopedia.
Key components of the 'American Dream', such as marriage, home ownership, raising children, and retirement, have become increasingly expensive.
The average lifetime earnings of an American with a bachelor’s degree is about $2.3 million, significantly less than the estimated cost of the 'American Dream'.
The most expensive components of the 'American Dream' are health insurance, home ownership, retirement savings, and raising children.
Single-earner households and those with less education are more likely to struggle financially to achieve the 'American Dream'.