The burning question surrounding the 1990 Christmas classic "Home Alone" has finally been answered by economists at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. Just how rich is the McCallister family? It's a question The New York Times now has an answer to as the Federal Reserves has determined Kevin McCallister's family is in the one percent of Chicago residents based on the value of their home.
According to The Times, the economists at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago revealed that "In 1990, the house was affordable only for the top 1 percent of Chicago household incomes, and that would still be the case today...the home would have been affordable to a household with an income of $305,000 in 1990 (about $665,000 in 2022)."
So, it turns out that Peter (John Heard) and Kate McCallister (Catherine O'Hara) would've been earning at least $305,000 annually in 1990 (or about $665,000 in 2022) to afford the house, which is located on the North shore of Chicago. Zillow estimated in 2022 that the house was worth about $2.4 million. This sheds light on why thieves Harry (Joe Pesci) and Marv (Daniel Stern) specifically target the McCallister home as the one to rob in the film.
"That's the one, Marv, that's the silver tuna," Harry says in the movie, realizing the McCallisters are wealthy and their home must contain a lot of "top-flight goods."
The McCallisters are a wealthy family
The revelation about the McCallister family's wealth has sparked discussions among fans who have long speculated on their financial status. It's not cheap to take 15 family members on a Christmas vacation to Paris, which is the inciting incident that leaves the young Kevin home alone. However, wealth clearly runs in the family as Kevin mentions that his uncle paid for the family's plane tickets.
While "Home Alone" never reveals what Kevin's parents do for a living, it has long been assumed that mother Kate worked as a fashion designer given the home has mannequins in it.
For those curious about the full breakdown of the McCallister family's income, The New York Times' website offers a detailed analysis.
The economists' findings have finally put an end to the speculation and shed light on the McCallister family's affluent status, providing a new perspective on the classic holiday film.
FAQs
Working with the assumption that the McCallisters did not spend more than 30 percent of their income on housing, the economists also determined the home would have been affordable to a household with an income of $305,000 in 1990 (about $665,000 in 2022).
How rich were McCallisters in Home Alone? ›
Peter (John Heard) and Kate McCallister (Catherine O'Hara) would've been earning at least $305,000 annually in 1990 (or about $665,000 in 2022) to afford the house, which is located on the North shore of Chicago. Zillow estimated in 2022 that the house was worth about $2.4 million.
How much money has Home Alone made? ›
| Home Alone |
|---|
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $18 million |
| Box office | $476.7 million |
12 more rowsThe Johnsons paid $1.59 million for the five-bedroom, six-bathroom spread back in 2012 and have lived there ever since.
How much was the McCallister house worth in 1990? ›
What would it have taken for a household to afford the McCallister's house in "Home Alone" in 1990? The house of which you speak, 671 Lincoln Avenue in Winnetka, Illinois, sold in 1989. Its value in 1990 was approximately $900,000.
How rich is the Home Alone kid? ›
How much money does Kevin McCallister spend in Home Alone 2? ›
During his time at the upscale hotel, Kevin racked up a room service bill of $967.43 worth of room service, which seemed expensive in 1992, but it would be three times as much now at $2,062.92 in 2023. Of course, a trip for a 9-year-old isn't complete without sweet treats and toys.
Who is the richest actor in Home Alone? ›
What is Macaulay Culkin's net worth? According to Celebrity Net Worth, The New York City native is worth an estimated $18 million.
How much would the Home Alone house be worth today? ›
House from 'Home Alone' hits the market for $5.25 million
Kevin McCallister's childhood home has hit the market for $5.25 million. At just over 9,000 square feet, the house from the “Home Alone” movie was last sold in 2012 for $1,585,000, according to real estate marketplace Zillow.
Who was paid the most for Home Alone? ›
- Macaulay Culkin earned $100,000 for his role in the original Home Alone. ...
- Famous actor John Candy made just $414 for his small role in the film. ...
- Daniel Stern, who played Marv, reported in his memoir that he was approached with a pay offer of $600,000 to appear in the franchise's sequel.
In 1990, Heard starred as Peter McCallister in the comedy Home Alone. He played the part of Kevin's (played by Macaulay Calkin) father who unwittingly leaves his son at home when making a Christmas trip to France.
How much is the house in Home Alone 2 worth? ›
The townhouse where MaCaulay Culkin's character Kevin McCallister beat up the "Sticky Bandits" in "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York" could be yours for $6.7 million.
How much does the pizza cost in Home Alone? ›
In the opening scene, Kevin's family orders 10 large pizzas from Little Nero's Pizza for $122.50 (plus tip). That value is known as the nominal price, but we want to know what that amount would feel like in today's dollars.
How wealthy were the McCallisters? ›
According to economists at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago who worked with the Times, in 1990 (the year the film was released), the McCallister family home could have only been afforded by the top 1% of Chicago households, with an income of about $305,000 (or $665,000 in 2022).
How did the McCallisters afford the house? ›
How could Peter and Kate McAllister afford their huge house, abundance of presents and lavish holidays? It seems that economists have the very simple answer – the McCallisters were loaded with cash.
Does the Home Alone house still exist? ›
Prior to the 2024 sale, the home had last changed hands in 2012 for a reported $1.585 million. Located at 671 Lincoln Ave, in Winnetka, Illinois, the 9,126 square foot home boasts five bedrooms and six full bathrooms.
How much money did Mr. McCallister make? ›
Working with the assumption that the McCallisters did not spend more than 30 percent of their income on housing, the economists also determined the home would have been affordable to a household with an income of $305,000 in 1990 (about $665,000 in 2022).
What did the McCallister do for a living? ›
Those numbers today would put the McCallisters in the top 1 percent of Chicago-area earners. Home Alone never actually reveals what the McCallisters do for work, but the novelization, written by Todd Strasser, suggests that Kate is a fashion designer and Peter is a generic businessman.
Why is Kevin's dad so rich in Home Alone? ›
“Home Alone” never revealed what the family did for a living but it was assumed that Kate McCallister worked in fashion since the house had mannequins. Kevin's dad was a businessman because it was “a safe bet,” Todd Strasser, who wrote the official novelizations of “Home Alone” said, according to the Times.
