Money dysmorphia high earners report financial stress despite six figures

Money dysmorphia high earners are showing up in new Gallup research from Edward Jones, which found that nearly seven in 10 Americans making more than $135,000 a year do not feel financially fulfilled. The findings point to a widening gap between income and financial confidence as higher costs and comparison-driven spending pressure people who might appear secure on paper.

The research found dissatisfaction even at the upper end of the income scale. Edward Jones said 77% of people earning $135,000 to $174,999 are not satisfied with their finances, as are 63% of those making more than $175,000.

Financial unease is broader than high-income households. According to the report, about 55% of Americans say their financial situation is getting worse, continuing a multi-year pattern. Edward Jones also said 83% of professionals overall, or about 216 million Americans, report some form of financial stress, strain or uncertainty.

What is money dysmorphia?

Money dysmorphia is a distorted view of personal finances that does not match a person’s actual financial position. In this context, it can mean someone with a strong income still feels behind, insecure or unable to spend with confidence.

Ashley Agnew, a certified financial therapist and behavioral scientist at Edward Jones, told Fortune that financial fulfillment depends on more than salary or assets. She said it also reflects whether money gives a person security, fits their priorities and provides a sense of control.

The report said 36% of people felt stressed about their finances within the past 30 days. Among younger high earners, the pressure was sharper: Edward Jones found that 71% of millennials and 67% of Gen Z workers with six-figure incomes are stressed about money. One in five workers earning at least $135,000 said thinking about their finances made them feel “depressed,” according to the research.

Why are high earners stressed about money?

Agnew told Fortune that insecurity, comparisons and earlier experiences with scarcity can shape how people feel about money long after their income rises. She said childhood lessons about saving or spending can leave some people feeling guilty about purchases, while others may struggle to say no to social costs that exceed their budgets.

Social media adds another layer, according to Agnew. She told Fortune that younger workers who grew up with online shopping, constant alerts and social platforms can be pulled away from a clear view of their own finances. She said comparison can make it harder to judge what is affordable.

Edward Jones said adults with similar backgrounds can still differ widely in whether their finances feel manageable, whether they feel in control and whether money helps them work toward the life they want.

Rising living costs also weaken the old assumption that a six-figure salary brings financial ease. Agnew told Fortune that a $125,000 income once could support a family of four more comfortably, while higher costs for housing, child care, groceries and medical care have reduced what that income can cover.

Separate 2025 research from Goldman Sachs found paycheck-to-paycheck pressure even at higher income levels. The firm reported that 41% of U.S. workers making $300,001 to $500,000, and 40% of those earning more than $500,000, said they were living paycheck to paycheck.

Agnew told Fortune that income in the $100,000 to $200,000 range no longer covers some traditional goals in many parts of the country, including buying a home or paying for a wedding. The data suggest many high earners are measuring financial success against costs and expectations that have climbed faster than their sense of security.

This story draws on original reporting from Fortune.