American Dream costs $3.4M — more than individuals make in a lfietime

An American can achieve their ideal living situation on an average salary — and a million bucks.

Achieving the once-standard American Dream now costs over $1 million more than an average individual makes in their entire lifetime, according to a new study.

Owning a home, a car, a pet and sending two children to school — once considered basic milestones of life in the US — costs a whopping $3,455,305, a study conducted by Investopedia found.

The average American — across all education levels — only rakes in roughly $2.3 million, according to the research.

“But rising costs have made the typical ‘American Dream’ out of reach for many,” the researchers wrote.

Inflation and high-interest rates are two of the main drivers for the disjunction between an individual’s paycheck and their bills.

Fortunately, the average rate on a 30-year mortgage eased to 7.03% this week, but not before it hit its highest-ever rate of 7.79% in October — making the average lifetime cost of a home about $796,998.

Having kids in this day in age will cost nearly as much as a house, the research states.

Raising two children to the age of 18 is now estimated to cost $576,896 — but the true price could be much higher as it becomes more common for children to live with their parents well into adulthood.

A good chunk of that half-million dollars comes in the form of education bills, roughly $42,070 per year for in-state college. Plus their births alone will likely ring up for $5,708 out-of-pocket for two children, for those enrolled in a large group health plan.

“If your family includes a furry friend, you could be looking at up to $67k in lifetime costs for a dog and cat that each live for 15 years,” Investopedia.com states.

Here are some other massive cost-of-living price tags:

• wedding and engagement ring: $35,800
• car: $271,330

• health insurance: $934,752
• retirement: $715,968
• funeral: $7,848

Economists are calling for a Federal Reserve rate cut to battle stubborn inflation, worrying that without one the economy could be headed toward a recession.