00 / Methodology

Built on public data. Show your work.

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.