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Wednesday, February 19, 2025

Vanity Values: Survey Reveals the Top Social Status Symbols in Each State

Survey Top Social Status Symbols
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We deploy a step-by-step methodology to each piece of research we publish to ensure our studies offer complete coverage and meet our rigorous editorial standards.

Think about an expensive Hermès handbag. It’s something that screams wealth and status, but in reality, it isn’t any more useful than a cheap bag from Target. A Rolex watch doesn’t tell the time better than any other, and Louboutin shoes do not make you taller than regular heels. But we are willing to splash out and splurge on these expensive items for the perceived social status they give us.

But what big-ticket items really scream success? What can you own that will show to one and all that you’ve well and truly arrived?

To find out more on this matter we surveyed 3,000 adults to gauge what they perceived as the ultimate status symbol where they live. Do we covet status symbols like cars and boats? Or are homes in unique locations the best indication of wealth? Here are some of the observations from our study:

The Top Picks Countrywide

Owning a private island in the Florida Keys emerged as Floridians’ ultimate status symbol. Their second choice would be to own a yacht in Miami or Palm Beach, followed by owning a property in a gated community mansion in Naples or Boca Raton.

Looking at other states, stately homes in high-end locations were a top status symbol across the board. States from Alabama to Wyoming picked enviable locations to have houses as a marker that one had truly made it. 

Symbol of SuccessState
A second home in Orange Beach or Gulf ShoresAlabama
A high-end, lifted Ford F-250 or Chevrolet SilveradoAlabama
Lake House on Lake MartinAlabama
A heavily modified Ford F-350 or Toyota Tundra with tracksAlaska
Private FloatplaneAlaska
A luxury getaway in Denali or along the Kenai RiverAlaska
Owning a Private Ranch in FlagstaffArizona
Owning a Desert Mansion in Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, or SedonaArizona
Courtside Seats at a Suns GameArizona
High-End Fishing Boat for the White RiverArkansas
Owning a Trophy Deer Hunting Lease in the Ozarks or Delta regionArkansas
Lake House on Greers Ferry or Beaver LakeArkansas
Luxury Beach House in Laguna or Santa BarbaraCalifornia
Tesla Model X PlaidCalifornia
VIP Access to CoachellaCalifornia
Ski-In, Ski-Out Property in Aspen or VailColorado
Owning a Craft Brewery or DistilleryColorado
A decked-out Toyota Tacoma or Jeep Gladiator for rugged terrainColorado
Owning a Historic Estate in GreenwichConnecticut
Yacht Club Membership in Mystic or DarienConnecticut
Exclusive Private School Education at Choate Rosemary Hall or Loomis ChaffeeConnecticut
Waterfront Mansion on Rehoboth BeachDelaware
Owning a Thoroughbred RacehorseDelaware
Exclusive Country Club Membership at Wilmington Country ClubDelaware
Owning a Private Island in the Florida KeysFlorida
Yacht in Miami or Palm BeachFlorida
Gated Community Mansion in Naples or Boca RatonFlorida
Owning a Buckhead Mansion in AtlantaGeorgia
Gated Lakefront Property on Lake LanierGeorgia
Owning an Equestrian Estate in AlpharettaGeorgia
Oceanfront Estate on Lanai or MauiHawaii
Owning a Small Coffee Farm in KonaHawaii
Luxury Catamaran for Sailing Between IslandsHawaii
Owning a Fly Fishing Cabin on the Snake RiverIdaho
High-End Four-Wheeler for the BackcountryIdaho
Private Lodge in Sun ValleyIdaho
Owning a Historic Gold Coast BrownstoneIllinois
Weekend Home in Galena or Lake GenevaIllinois
Luxury Condo Overlooking Millennium ParkIllinois
Owning a Lakefront Home on Lake WawaseeIndiana
Luxury RV for Tailgating at Notre Dame or PurdueIndiana
Membership at Crooked Stick Golf ClubIndiana
Access to Exclusive Political FundraisersIowa
Lake House at OkobojiIowa
Owning a Premium Iowa Hawkeyes or Cyclones Tailgate SetupIowa
Owning a High-Performance Luxury Truck (Dodge Ram 3500)Kansas
Lakefront Property on Cheney Reservoir or El Dorado LakeKansas
VIP Access to Kansas City Chiefs GamesKansas
Luxury Horse Farm in LexingtonKentucky
Owning a Kentucky Derby RacehorseKentucky
Owning a Private Cabin in Red River GorgeKentucky
Owning a Historic French Quarter MansionLouisiana
VIP Experience at the New Orleans Jazz FestLouisiana
VIP Access to Mardi Gras Krewes – Exclusive memberships like Rex or EndymionLouisiana
Owning a Historic Coastal Mansion in Bar HarborMaine
Private Island Off the Coast of AcadiaMaine
Luxury Cabin on Moosehead LakeMaine
Owning a Summer Home on Nantucket or Martha’s VineyardMassachusetts
Owning a Historic Brownstone in Beacon Hill or Back BayMassachusetts
Attending the Boston Symphony Orchestra from a Private BoxMassachusetts
Owning a Lake House on Torch Lake or Mackinac IslandMichigan
Owning a Private Hunting Lodge in the Upper PeninsulaMichigan
Season Tickets to the Detroit Lions’ GamesMichigan
Owning a Lake Minnetonka Mansion with a Private DockMinnesota
Owning a Wilderness Lodge in ElyMinnesota
Season Tickets for the Minnesota Vikings in a Luxury SuiteMinnesota
Owning a Mississippi Riverfront Property with a Private DockMississippi
Owning a Historic Antebellum Mansion in NatchezMississippi
Private Access to an Elite Quail Hunting PreserveMississippi
Owning a Lake of the Ozarks Luxury Home with a Boat DockMissouri
Private Hunting Retreat in the OzarksMissouri
Owning a Private Suite at Arrowhead StadiumMissouri
Owning a Private Ranch with Thousands of AcresMontana
Luxury Log Cabin in Big Sky with Mountain ViewsMontana
Membership at the Yellowstone ClubMontana
A Classic car or truck Ford F-250 Super Duty with Custom FeaturesNebraska
Owning a Trophy Hunting Ranch in the SandhillsNebraska
Owning a Historic Building in Downtown Omaha’s Old MarketNebraska
Owning a Luxury Penthouse on the Las Vegas StripNevada
Custom luxury car (Rolls-Royce or Lamborghini)Nevada
High-roller membership at a Vegas Casino like The Wynn, Bellagio, or The VenetianNevada
Owning a Luxury Lake House on Lake WinnipesaukeeNew Hampshire
A Custom-Built Log Cabin in the North CountryNew Hampshire
Classic New England Townhouse in Portsmouth’s Historic DistrictNew Hampshire
Owning a Lavish Mansion in Alpine or Short HillsNew Jersey
Exclusive Shore House in Spring Lake or Cape MayNew Jersey
Private Beach Club Membership at Sea Bright or Long BranchNew Jersey
Private Hot Springs on a Taos or Santa Fe EstateNew Mexico
Owning a Fully Restored 1950s Airstream for Desert CampingNew Mexico
Owning a Santa Fe Adobe MansionNew Mexico
Owning a Hamptons Beachfront EstateNew York
Penthouse Apartment Overlooking Central ParkNew York
Luxury Townhouse in the West Village or Upper East SideNew York
Owning a Luxury Beach House in the Outer BanksNorth Carolina
Owning a Private Estate in The Biltmore ForestNorth Carolina
Private Lake House on Lake NormanNorth Carolina
Owning a Multi-Thousand-Acre RanchNorth Dakota
Owning a Private Fishing Lodge on Devils LakeNorth Dakota
A High-End Ice Fishing House on Lake SakakaweaNorth Dakota
Luxury Lakefront Home on Lake ErieOhio
Private Suite at Ohio State vs. Michigan Football GameOhio
Luxury Suite at a Cleveland Browns or Bengals GameOhio
Private Lakefront Property on Grand Lake o’ the CherokeesOklahoma
Owning a Custom or Modified Luxury Truck (Ford F-350)Oklahoma
Private Suite at an Oklahoma Sooners or Oklahoma State Cowboys GameOklahoma
Luxury Beachfront Home in Cannon BeachOregon
Private Cabin in the Columbia River GorgeOregon
Owning a Private Vineyard in the Willamette ValleyOregon
Luxury Box at a Philadelphia Eagles or Pittsburgh Steelers GamePennsylvania
Private Hunting Reserve in the Allegheny MountainsPennsylvania
Private Membership at Merion Golf ClubPennsylvania
Owning a Historic Mansion in NewportRhode Island
Private Beachfront Estate on Narragansett BayRhode Island
Owning a Classic New England Shingle-Style HomeRhode Island
Owning a Vacation Home on Pawleys IslandSouth Carolina
Luxury Yacht Docked in Charleston HarborSouth Carolina
Owning a Historic Antebellum Mansion in Charleston’s BatterySouth Carolina
Owning a Multi-Thousand-Acre Ranch with Private Bison HerdSouth Dakota
Owning a Private Log Cabin in DeadwoodSouth Dakota
Owning a Historic Homestead in the Black HillsSouth Dakota
Owning a Luxury Smoky Mountain Cabin in GatlinburgTennessee
Owning a Historic Country Estate in FranklinTennessee
VIP Access to the CMA Awards in NashvilleTennessee
Owning a Beachfront Mansion in South Padre IslandTexas
Owning a Ranch in Hill CountryTexas
Private Suite at a Dallas Cowboys Game at AT&T StadiumTexas
Owning a Lake House on Bear Lake with a Private DockUtah
Owning a Ski-In, Ski-Out Mansion in Park City or Deer ValleyUtah
Exclusive Membership at Glenwild or Promontory ClubUtah
Private Ski Chalet at Stowe or KillingtonVermont
Owning a Craft Brewery Specializing in Small-Batch IPAsVermont
VIP Passes to the Vermont Cheesemakers’ FestivalVermont
Owning a Historic Colonial Estate in Williamsburg or MiddleburgVirginia
Owning a Private Horse Farm in MiddleburgVirginia
Membership at the Jefferson Hotel’s Elite Social Club in RichmondVirginia
Luxury Waterfront Property on the San Juan IslandsWashington
Owning a Luxury Houseboat on Lake UnionWashington
Owning a Vineyard in Walla Walla’s Wine RegionWashington
Owning a Private Hunting Preserve in the Appalachian MountainsWest Virginia
Luxury Log Cabin Overlooking the New River GorgeWest Virginia
Membership at The Greenbrier Resort’s Exclusive ClubWest Virginia
Luxury Lake House on Lake GenevaWisconsin
Private Hunting Lodge in the NorthwoodsWisconsin
Season Tickets to Packers GamesWisconsin
Luxury Log Cabin Overlooking the Grand TetonsWyoming
Owning a Multi-Thousand-Acre Ranch in Jackson HoleWyoming
Owning a Private Hot Springs PropertyWyoming

From luxury lake houses on Wisconsin’s Lake Geneva to vacation homes on South Carolina’s Pawley’s Island, ski-in, ski-out properties in Colorado’s Aspen or Vail, and lavish mansions in New Jersey’s Alpine, where you choose to reside or host your holidays is a big marker of your status in life.

Other coveted items included the likes of luxury vehicles and boats. For instance, in Alaska, the top marker of status was ‘a heavily modified Ford F-350 or Toyota Tundra with tracks’. Nebraskans agreed, with many wishing that they could be among those who owned a classic car or truck Ford F-250 Super Duty with custom features. Arkansans, on the other hand, dream of owning a high-end fishing boat for the White River. 

Some other states had more novel ideas on what they considered the highest symbols of success to be. These included Pennsylvanians having their own VIP box for Philadelphia Eagles or Pittsburgh Steelers games. Or, for Iowans, having access to exclusive political fundraisers was a great status symbol.

The Average American’s Approach To Splurging

But are Americans stretching beyond their means to afford these lavish items?

Almost half (49%) of Americans admit they have paid for luxury items on credit cards that they couldn’t afford to pay off in the short term. While 25% said they had done so not just once or twice, but multiple times. Only 13% said they would never use a credit card to make a luxury purchase, while 21% admitted to never really splurging out at all. 

1 in 4 respondents admit that they have made a luxury purchase on a credit card that they couldn't afford to pay off immediately.

When it comes to buying high-end or luxury items normally, Americans are divided. 26% said they would usually save up and pay in cash or with a debit card, while the same number said they would use a credit card but pay off the balance quickly.

The rest either don’t buy luxury items (27%), pay off their credit card debts slowly over time (17%), or use buy now, pay later services (3%). 

28% of respondents said the biggest fear holding them back from making luxury purchases using a credit card was being scared of going into debt, with a further 26% saying the high interest rates were enough to stop them from spending money on splurge purchases. That said, a large proportion of Americans (28%) said they never regretted any of their high-end purchases.

Using Credit Cards to Fund a Certain Lifestyle

When asked if they had ever opened a new credit card specifically to afford a high-status purchase (e.g., luxury goods or exclusive experiences), this is what our survey respondents had to say:

  • No, I would never do that: 38%
  • No, but I’ve considered it: 25%
  • Yes, and I’ve done it multiple times: 19%
  • Yes, but I only did it once: 18%

Regarding choosing which credit card to use, 39% of respondents said that cash back or travel rewards were the biggest factor influencing their decision to apply for a new credit card. Next came a low-interest rate or 0% APR intro offer, with 30% of the votes, and a high credit limit for big purchases at 20%. The remaining 8% of respondents said they chose a credit card for its exclusive perks, such as airport lounges or concierge services.

19% of respondents have opened a new credit card specifically to afford a high-status purchase.

But does merely the act of having a credit card enhance your social status? 41% of Americans believe not, that credit cards aren’t a status symbol, while 23% say that exclusive cards with high credit limits or VIP-only tiers, such as Amex Platinum or Black Cards are a symbol of success.

Our Biggest Splurge

So what would you decide to splurge on if money wasn’t an issue? When asked the following question — “If you received an unlimited credit card for one day, what would you be most likely to splurge on?” — the answers were somewhat surprising. The top pick by most of our survey respondents? 33% said they would choose to be responsible and not use it at all. 

For those that would decide to splurge, the big-ticket item of choice for 27% of respondents, would be a high-end vacation or five-star hotel stay. Eighteen percent said a luxury car or extravagant experience, and the rest cited designer fashion, handbags, or jewelry. 

If given the chioce to use an unlimited credit card on anything for a day, 33% of survey respondents said they wouldn’t make any purchase, while 27% chose high-end vacations and hotel stays as their response.

What about you? Would you use an unlimited credit card to treat yourself? Is this something you already do, or are you frugal and responsible, choosing instead to save up for the luxury items you really want? No matter which side of the coin you fall, if our survey results are anything to go by, it looks like you’re not alone. 

Methodology

We selected 3,012 Americans from a geographically representative online panel of double-opt-in members. This selection was further tailored to meet the precise criteria required for each unique survey. Throughout the survey, we designed questions to carefully screen and authenticate respondents, guaranteeing the survey’s alignment with the ideal participants.

To ensure the integrity of our data collection, we employed an array of data quality methods. Alongside conventional measures such as digital fingerprinting, bot checks, geo-verification, and speeding detection, each response underwent a thorough review by a dedicated team member to ensure quality and contextual accuracy. Our commitment extended to open-ended responses, subjecting them to scrutiny for gibberish answers and plagiarism detection.