Well, the article is about feelings, so... emotions are what they are.The metric indicated $1MM of investable assets I think. If so that means next to nothing. It doesn’t make one rich, or really have any bearing on spendable or investable income. I see it very plausible that many folks would be barely scraping by. Especially in high cost areas where they’re taxed to death but have incomes way above the average.
$1M in net value can look good but mean nothing if it's tied up in a primary residence and retirement funds. If one is basically living paycheck to paycheck--every dime getting spent between debt, savings goals and everyday living--it can sure feel not like being "rich" where one doesn't look at the price tag before contemplating a purchase.
So yeah, I agree with you, a mil sounds like a lot--but context matters.