False claims about Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s net worth frequently circulate online. One viral post earlier this year even claimed she was worth $29 million — a number with no basis in fact.
In reality, the New York Democrat disclosed less than $50,000 in assets in her 2023 financial report and reported between $15,000 and $50,000 in student loan debt. Her congressional salary, like that of most rank-and-file members of Congress, is $174,000 per year.
A May post from conservative musician Ted Nugent falsely claimed Ocasio-Cortez had amassed tens of millions in wealth. More recently, critics pointed to her upbringing in Westchester County, implying she comes from privilege and wealth. But her public financial disclosures tell a very different story.
Forbes estimated her net worth at about $125,000 in 2024, based mainly on a Thrift Savings Plan— a retirement account for federal employees similar to a 401(k), which isn’t required to be detailed in congressional disclosures. That estimate assumes she contributed regularly with employer matches.
Ocasio-Cortez has publicly pushed back on misinformation about her finances.
“I am not even worth $1 million. Or a half million,” she posted in February. “I am one of the lowest net worth members of Congress, trade no individual stock, and take no outside income.”
I’m proud of how I grew up and talk about it all the time!
My mom cleaned houses and I helped. We cleaned tutors’ homes in exchange for SAT prep.
Growing up between the Bronx and Yorktown deeply shaped my views of inequality & it’s a big reason I believe the things I do today! https://t.co/YKfae0x1Om
Ocasio-Cortez has also faced criticism for describing herself as a “Bronx girl,” with some pointing to the Yorktown Heights home she lived in during part of her childhood as evidence she’s not being honest about her background.
She responded by highlighting the challenges her family faced.
“My mom cleaned houses and I helped,” she wrote. “We cleaned tutors’ homes in exchange for SAT prep. Growing up between the Bronx and Yorktown deeply shaped my views on inequality.”
What the Public Records Say
Lawmakers are required to file annual financial disclosures, which are publicly available online. Ocasio-Cortez’s most recent report shows four modest accounts totaling between $3,000 and $46,000, with no individual stock holdings and no outside income.
These disclosures also note any sponsored travel or gifts. In 2023, she reported trips to South America and East Asia paid for by a foundation and a think tank. In 2022, she disclosed receiving an engagement ring worth slightly over $3,000.
While the public often assumes members of Congress get rich off the job, the reality is more mundane. Lawmakers with higher net worths typically earn it through book deals, investments, or outside business ventures — none of which appear in Ocasio-Cortez’s financial profile.
