Would help to know where these people lived. $90k is not rich no matter where you live but its especially not if you reside in NY Mass Cali etc.
I make a little over that around 6 digits although not rich Im lucky to live in no tax state. Single have a home boat two cars. Rich no but very comfortable. Friday night I helped my girlfriend at her work (she cleans a school at night) I pulled trash for 3.5 hours for free help all the time when she short on staff. So even though Im not rich in cash Im rich in life.