There's a difference between looking rich and actually being wealthy. One is loud. The other doesn't need to explain anything. Rich means you earn a lot. You might drive a luxury SUV, own a $10,000 couch, and take three vacations a year — all while living paycheck to paycheck. Wealthy means you own assets that generate income whether you're working or not. Wealth buys freedom. Rich buys bills. What It Takes To Be Considered Wealthy According to the 2025 Charles Schwab Modern Wealth Survey, Americans no ...