Gen Z isn’t dreaming of luxury—$600k feels like basic survival.

For older generations, the idea of needing $600,000 a year just to live sounds absurd. But for many in Gen Z, that number isn’t about private jets and designer clothes—it’s about affording a life that doesn’t feel like a constant financial struggle. Between skyrocketing rent, crushing student loans, and inflation that won’t quit, what used to be a comfortable salary now feels barely enough to cover the basics.
Unlike past generations, Gen Z isn’t expecting a single-income household, a pension, or a debt-free college education. They’re entering adulthood with record-high costs and a job market that doesn’t always keep up.
To them, a six-figure income isn’t a sign of success—it’s the price of financial security. Here’s why so many young people feel like anything less than $600,000 a year means falling behind.