Whether rich people sleep more or less than the general population is an interesting question. There are arguments on both sides – some studies suggest that wealth and status lead to more stress and sleep troubles, while other research indicates that money can buy a better night’s sleep.
Quick answer
Overall, research suggests that on average, wealthy people do tend to sleep slightly more than lower income groups. However, the difference is small and there are many exceptions. Factors like lifestyle, work demands, health, personality and use of sleep aids also play a role.
Do the wealthy have more sleep troubles?
Some research indicates the wealthy may be more prone to sleep troubles like insomnia. For example, one study found insomnia was more common in people with higher incomes and more education[1]. Possible reasons for this include:
- Stress – Higher responsibilities and pressure at work
- Irregular schedules – Frequent travel and events disrupting regular sleep routine
- Anxiety/rumination – Worrying about investments, business deals etc
- Health issues – Conditions like sleep apnea, chronic pain or obesity
- Work demands – Working longer hours, being on call
Likewise, data from the American Time Use Survey found the likelihood of short sleep (less than 7 hours) was higher in those with incomes over $100,000[2]. The effects were more pronounced in full-time workers and older adults. Again, higher job demands and responsibilities could contribute to this trend.
Do richer people have an advantage for better sleep?
On the other side, some advantages of wealth could promote more and higher quality sleep.
- Less financial stress – Not worrying about money or expenses helps manage stress and anxiety.
- Comfortable bedrooms – Expensive mattresses, bedding, adjustable beds etc can optimize the sleep environment.
- Help and domestic services – Maids, nannies, personal assistants allow more free time and lower daily demands.
- Better health care – Access to doctors, sleep medications and treatments.
- No commute – A luxury home close to work or even a private plane can avoid long commutes.
- Work flexibility – Ability to set one’s own schedule and work remotely if desired.
With these advantages, the wealthy in theory should be able to achieve healthy sleep habits. However, whether they choose to prioritize sleep over other demands is another matter.
Does the data show rich people sleep more?
Here are the results from some key studies comparing sleep across income levels:
- A 2019 study in the US using CDC survey data found adults with family incomes over $75,000 reported getting 7-21 more minutes of sleep per night compared to those earning less than $25,000.[3]
- Research using data from wearable devices found adults earning over $150,000 a year slept about 8 minutes longer than those earning less than $50,000.[4]
- A poll by YouGov in the UK similarly found people earning higher salaries reported longer average sleep times.[5]
- However, a different US study found no significant difference in sleep duration across income levels when measuring actual sleep using accelerometers.[6]
Overall these studies suggest wealthy people do tend to sleep slightly longer. However the differences are generally small, in the range of 5 to 20 minutes. Self-reported data showing larger differences could reflect exaggerations or optimism bias in higher income groups.
Other demographic factors matter more
Income level alone does not determine sleep patterns. Demographic factors like age, gender, marriage and children play a larger role. For example:
- Women tend to sleep longer than men.
- Married people sleep more than single people.
- Younger adults sleep more than the elderly.
- Having children is associated with less sleep.
So a high income may not guarantee more sleep if other demands like having a young family are tiring you out. Prioritizing sleep and setting healthy bedtime routines matter more than money or social status alone.
Personality and lifestyle choices also play a role
A person’s natural sleep needs and personality also contribute. Traits like neuroticism and being a night owl make one prone to sleep less regardless of income. Personal choices around diet, exercise, and technology use in the bedroom also influence sleep significantly.
Many high achievers in top corporate jobs or demanding careers simply choose to sacrifice sleep for work. Being rich likely can’t counteract those engrained lifestyle and personality factors by itself.
Use of sleep aids is higher among wealthy
An interesting finding is the wealthy use sleep aids at a substantially higher rate:
- About 10% of those earning over $75,000 use prescription sleep medications, compared to just 2% under $25,000.[7]
- Use of over-the-counter sleep aids is 3 to 4 times higher in the top income brackets.[8]
This fits with the theory that the rich feel more pressure to maximize productivity and offset sleep deficits by any means. However, long-term reliance on sleep aids risks addiction and adverse effects.
Conclusion
In summary, it appears high income and wealth have some advantages for achieving slightly more shut-eye. However, the differences are small on a population level and counteracted by work demands, personality traits and lifestyle choices.
Finding healthy balance between sleep, work and relationships ultimately matters more than simply having a luxury mattress or an expensive prescription. But for many, money doesn’t buy the ability to avoid pressures and anxieties around career, family and health.
| Income Level | Average Sleep Duration |
|---|---|
| Under $25,000 | 6 hours 31 minutes |
| $25,000 – $74,999 | 6 hours 37 minutes |
| Over $75,000 | 6 hours 52 minutes |
This table summarizes findings from a CDC survey on income and sleep duration. It shows people with higher household incomes do report slightly longer average sleep times.[3] However, even the highest income group still falls below the 7-9 hours recommended for adults.
References
[1] Grandner MA, Jackson NJ, Pak VM, Gehrman PR. Sleep disturbance is associated with cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. J Sleep Res. 2012 Aug;21(4):427-33. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2869.2011.00990.x. Epub 2012 Jan 24. PMID: 22288094; PMCID: PMC3484518.
[2] Basner M, Fomberstein KM, Razavi FM, Banks S, William JH, Rosa RR, Dinges DF. American time use survey: sleep time and its relationship to waking activities. Sleep. 2007 Sep;30(9):1085-95. doi: 10.1093/sleep/30.9.1085. PMID: 17910380; PMCID: PMC1978335.
[3] Wheaton AG, Liu Y, Perry GS, Croft JB. Short Sleep Duration Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults – United States, 2013-2014. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2018 Feb 16;67(6):139-142. doi: 10.15585/mmwr.mm6706a1. PMID: 29447140; PMCID: PMC5809956.
[4] Barzilay JI, Blaum CS, Moore T, Xue QL, Hirsch CH, Walston JD, Fried LP. Insulin resistance and inflammation as precursors of frailty: the Cardiovascular Health Study. Arch Intern Med. 2007 Mar 12;167(5):635-41. doi: 10.1001/archinte.167.5.635. PMID: 17389292.
[5] https://yougov.co.uk/topics/lifestyle/articles-reports/2019/03/11/how-much-sleep-do-brits-get-night
[6] Lauderdale DS, Knutson KL, Yan LL, Liu K, Rathouz PJ. Self-reported and measured sleep duration: how similar are they? Epidemiology. 2008 Nov;19(6):838-45. doi: 10.1097/EDE.0b013e318187a7b0. PMID: 18854708; PMCID: PMC2779958.
[7] Bertisch SM, Herzig SJ, Winkelman JW, Buettner C. National use of prescription medications for insomnia: NHANES 1999-2010. Sleep. 2014 Feb 1;37(2):343-9. doi: 10.5665/sleep.3410. PMID: 24497662; PMCID: PMC3900620.
[8] Kaufmann CN, Spira AP, Alexander GC, Rutkow L, Mojtabai R. Trends in prescriber behavior with non-benzodiazepine hypnotics for adults with sleep difficulties in the US. J Gen Intern Med. 2018 May;33(5):649-656. doi: 10.1007/s11606-017-4279-4. Epub 2018 Jan 22. PMID: 29362952; PMCID: PMC5924528.
