00 / Methodology
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Income is adjusted by metro price parity and household size. Wealth is compared against age-cohort medians. Diagnosis labels come from a fixed income-versus-wealth matrix.
01Sources
Pew methodologyFederal Reserve SCFBEA RPPCensus ACSOECD scale
02Adjustments
- Income is divided by BEA regional price parity so the same paycheck reads differently across cities.
- Income and wealth are equivalized using the OECD-modified household scale.
- Wealth tiers compare against SCF age-cohort medians when age is present.
- Diagnosis labels are determined by a fixed, inspectable income-versus-wealth matrix.
03Limits
The fast diagnosis uses a net-worth bracket, not a full balance sheet. It does not know liquidity, debt terms, taxes, family transfers, or future income volatility. A tier is a model. You are not a tier.