I’m trying to find the median income in the US. [The census says that it’s about 61k](https://www.census.gov/library/publications/2018/demo/p60-263.html), but [the Social Security Administration says that it’s about 29k.](https://www.ssa.gov/cgi-bin/netcomp.cgi?year=2014) How is there such a huge difference in the two numbers?
In: Economics
Another difference is that the census is measuring *income* while the SSA is measuring *wages*. There are many forms of non-wage income, the most common being dividends from investments.
Thank you, u/DeviaI, u/Target880, and u/blipsman ! That makes much more sense.
Difference between per capita and household… 2 people making $29k isn’t all that far off from the $61k, whether roommates, a couple, etc.
The census is the median **household** income. Which means if multiple people in a household work, their wages add up. The SSA is the median wage per person.
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