Special Report

America's Richest Cities

bowie15 / iStock

When the data becomes available, it is likely that COVID-19 will be seen to have had a substantial impact on incomes across the country. Regardless, the richest places in the United States will likely remain so. In dozens of cities, the majority of households earn well more than double the national median household income of $65,712.

Using median household income data from the Census Bureau’s 2019 American Community Survey for all municipalities with populations greater than 25,000, 24/7 Wall St. identified the richest cities in the nation. The median annual household incomes in the cities on this list range from nearly $140,000 to more than $240,000.

While there are affluent areas all across the country, most of the very richest cities in the nation are concentrated in highly populated states with large economies, including New York, California, Virginia, and Texas. Most of the places on this list are within commuting distance of the country’s largest metropolitan economic engines.

Incomes tend to rise with educational attainment, and the richest cities and their surrounding areas also tend to have relatively large college-educated populations. Real estate values often reflect incomes in a given city or town, and with high incomes, homes in the places on this list are often relatively expensive. While places with high median incomes do not always have low shares of residents living below the poverty line, most of the places on this list have extremely low poverty rates.

Click here to see America’s richest cities
Click here to see our methodology

50. Commack, New York
> Median household income: $138,098
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 51.0% — 290th highest of 1,775 cities (tied)
> Poverty rate: 2.7% — 17th lowest of 1,775 cities (tied)
> Median home value: $495,000 — 234th highest of 1,775 cities
> Population: 36,953

[in-text-ad]

bluehill75 / Getty Images

49. Rancho Palos Verdes, California
> Median household income: $138,557
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 67.6% — 80th highest of 1,775 cities (tied)
> Poverty rate: 4.1% — 131st lowest of 1,775 cities (tied)
> Median home value: $1,156,700 — 21st highest of 1,775 cities
> Population: 42,030

ALSO READ: The US Cities Where Home Values Are Falling the Fastest

48. New City, New York
> Median household income: $138,638
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 57.5% — 192nd highest of 1,775 cities
> Poverty rate: 3.4% — 65th lowest of 1,775 cities (tied)
> Median home value: $489,600 — 242nd highest of 1,775 cities
> Population: 35,101

SpVVK / iStock via Getty Images

47. Mountain View, California
> Median household income: $139,720
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 69.5% — 60th highest of 1,775 cities
> Poverty rate: 6.7% — 384th lowest of 1,775 cities (tied)
> Median home value: $1,413,500 — 14th highest of 1,775 cities
> Population: 81,656

[in-text-ad-2]

serg3d / iStock via Getty Images

46. Sunnyvale, California
> Median household income: $140,631
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 65.1% — 101st highest of 1,775 cities (tied)
> Poverty rate: 5.5% — 261st lowest of 1,775 cities (tied)
> Median home value: $1,223,600 — 19th highest of 1,775 cities
> Population: 152,770

ALSO READ: States Where People Struggle Most With Student Debt

45. Keller, Texas
> Median household income: $141,364
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 56.5% — 200th highest of 1,775 cities (tied)
> Poverty rate: 3.1% — 44th lowest of 1,775 cities (tied)
> Median home value: $386,200 — 395th highest of 1,775 cities (tied)
> Population: 46,813

[in-text-ad]

Matthew Van Dyke / iStock via Getty Images

44. Olney, Maryland
> Median household income: $143,396
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 61.8% — 141st highest of 1,775 cities (tied)
> Poverty rate: 2.7% — 17th lowest of 1,775 cities (tied)
> Median home value: $506,400 — 228th highest of 1,775 cities
> Population: 35,191

ALSO READ: States Where People Are Struggling With the Most Debt

43. Linton Hall, Virginia
> Median household income: $144,420
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 55.8% — 210th highest of 1,775 cities (tied)
> Poverty rate: 2.0% — 4th lowest of 1,775 cities
> Median home value: $446,100 — 294th highest of 1,775 cities
> Population: 41,386

ablokhin / iStock via Getty Images

42. Burke, Virginia
> Median household income: $145,234
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 63.3% — 128th highest of 1,775 cities
> Poverty rate: 2.2% — 5th lowest of 1,775 cities
> Median home value: $541,900 — 198th highest of 1,775 cities
> Population: 42,806

[in-text-ad-2]

41. Plainview, New York
> Median household income: $146,853
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 64.6% — 113th highest of 1,775 cities
> Poverty rate: 3.2% — 48th lowest of 1,775 cities (tied)
> Median home value: $594,000 — 162nd highest of 1,775 cities
> Population: 26,453

ALSO READ: The Best and Worst States for Retirees

SEASTOCK / iStock via Getty Images

40. Mercer Island, Washington
> Median household income: $147,566
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 78.2% — 16th highest of 1,775 cities
> Poverty rate: 5.6% — 269th lowest of 1,775 cities (tied)
> Median home value: $1,218,200 — 20th highest of 1,775 cities
> Population: 25,675

[in-text-ad]

emson / iStock via Getty Images

39. Hoboken, New Jersey
> Median household income: $147,620
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 80.5% — 12th highest of 1,775 cities
> Poverty rate: 8.7% — 593rd lowest of 1,775 cities (tied)
> Median home value: $720,700 — 98th highest of 1,775 cities
> Population: 53,193

ALSO READ: Cities Where Home Values Are Rising the Fastest

38. Highland Park, Illinois
> Median household income: $150,269
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 73.8% — 33rd highest of 1,775 cities (tied)
> Poverty rate: 4.5% — 162nd lowest of 1,775 cities (tied)
> Median home value: $584,500 — 168th highest of 1,775 cities
> Population: 29,628

Marcus Excell / iStock via Getty Images

37. Dublin, California
> Median household income: $150,299
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 66.3% — 94th highest of 1,775 cities (tied)
> Poverty rate: 4.0% — 123rd lowest of 1,775 cities (tied)
> Median home value: $882,200 — 51st highest of 1,775 cities
> Population: 61,240

[in-text-ad-2]

stresstensor / iStock via Getty Images

36. Newton, Massachusetts
> Median household income: $151,068
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 79.2% — 13th highest of 1,775 cities
> Poverty rate: 4.3% — 146th lowest of 1,775 cities (tied)
> Median home value: $914,700 — 43rd highest of 1,775 cities
> Population: 88,593

ALSO READ: This County Has the Cheapest Homes in America

35. Severna Park, Maryland
> Median household income: $151,499
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 61.8% — 141st highest of 1,775 cities (tied)
> Poverty rate: 3.3% — 58th lowest of 1,775 cities (tied)
> Median home value: $546,800 — 196th highest of 1,775 cities
> Population: 38,188

[in-text-ad]

Kirk Wester / iStock via Getty Images

34. Manhattan Beach, California
> Median household income: $153,023
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 75.2% — 29th highest of 1,775 cities (tied)
> Poverty rate: 3.2% — 48th lowest of 1,775 cities (tied)
> Median home value: $2,000,000+ — 1st highest of 1,775 cities (tied)
> Population: 35,500

ALSO READ: 28 Smart Ways to Make Extra Money

TahirAbbas / Getty Images

33. Parkland, Florida
> Median household income: $154,844
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 61.8% — 141st highest of 1,775 cities (tied)
> Poverty rate: 4.5% — 162nd lowest of 1,775 cities (tied)
> Median home value: $611,800 — 150th highest of 1,775 cities
> Population: 31,454

Sundry Photography / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

32. Los Gatos, California
> Median household income: $155,863
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 69.8% — 55th highest of 1,775 cities (tied)
> Poverty rate: 3.8% — 103rd lowest of 1,775 cities (tied)
> Median home value: $1,694,000 — 10th highest of 1,775 cities
> Population: 30,729

[in-text-ad-2]

Faina Gurevich / iStock via Getty Images

31. Belmont, California
> Median household income: $156,052
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 64.7% — 110th highest of 1,775 cities (tied)
> Poverty rate: 4.1% — 131st lowest of 1,775 cities (tied)
> Median home value: $1,527,500 — 12th highest of 1,775 cities
> Population: 27,097

ALSO READ: States Spending the Most and Least on Gambling

yhelfman / iStock via Getty Images

30. Pleasanton, California
> Median household income: $156,400
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 64.9% — 105th highest of 1,775 cities (tied)
> Poverty rate: 4.3% — 146th lowest of 1,775 cities (tied)
> Median home value: $986,800 — 34th highest of 1,775 cities
> Population: 81,717

[in-text-ad]

TriggerPhoto / iStock via Getty Images

29. Leawood, Kansas
> Median household income: $157,515
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 76.9% — 20th highest of 1,775 cities (tied)
> Poverty rate: 1.4% — 1st lowest of 1,775 cities
> Median home value: $463,200 — 267th highest of 1,775 cities
> Population: 34,670

ALSO READ: How Much Home You Can Buy for 200K in Every State

SpVVK / Getty Images

28. Palo Alto, California
> Median household income: $158,271
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 82.8% — 9th highest of 1,775 cities
> Poverty rate: 6.1% — 325th lowest of 1,775 cities (tied)
> Median home value: $2,000,000+ — 1st highest of 1,775 cities (tied)
> Population: 66,573

Melpomenem / iStock via Getty Images

27. Foster City, California
> Median household income: $158,529
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 70.3% — 53rd highest of 1,775 cities
> Poverty rate: 4.4% — 157th lowest of 1,775 cities (tied)
> Median home value: $1,245,800 — 18th highest of 1,775 cities
> Population: 33,997

[in-text-ad-2]

26. South Riding, Virginia
> Median household income: $158,996
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 70.4% — 51st highest of 1,775 cities (tied)
> Poverty rate: 3.7% — 96th lowest of 1,775 cities (tied)
> Median home value: $528,400 — 216th highest of 1,775 cities
> Population: 31,515

ALSO READ: States With the Largest Average Tax Refund

Tomsmith585 / iStock via Getty Images

25. San Ramon, California
> Median household income: $160,783
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 70.6% — 48th highest of 1,775 cities (tied)
> Poverty rate: 3.7% — 96th lowest of 1,775 cities (tied)
> Median home value: $958,800 — 37th highest of 1,775 cities
> Population: 75,648

[in-text-ad]

cgshoots / Getty Images

24. Menlo Park, California
> Median household income: $160,784
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 69.6% — 58th highest of 1,775 cities (tied)
> Poverty rate: 7.6% — 475th lowest of 1,775 cities (tied)
> Median home value: $2,000,000+ — 1st highest of 1,775 cities (tied)
> Population: 34,138

ALSO READ: The Value of a Dollar in Every State

Sundry Photography / iStock via Getty Images

23. Danville, California
> Median household income: $160,808
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 68.5% — 70th highest of 1,775 cities (tied)
> Poverty rate: 3.4% — 65th lowest of 1,775 cities (tied)
> Median home value: $1,091,900 — 27th highest of 1,775 cities
> Population: 44,605

tomferrisoc / Getty Images

22. Ladera Ranch, California
> Median household income: $161,348
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 66.8% — 88th highest of 1,775 cities (tied)
> Poverty rate: 3.0% — 36th lowest of 1,775 cities (tied)
> Median home value: $820,100 — 69th highest of 1,775 cities
> Population: 27,277

[in-text-ad-2]

Iheartdfw / Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

21. Colleyville, Texas
> Median household income: $163,509
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 65.2% — 100th highest of 1,775 cities
> Poverty rate: 3.8% — 103rd lowest of 1,775 cities (tied)
> Median home value: $516,500 — 223rd highest of 1,775 cities
> Population: 26,462

ALSO READ: 30 Richest Americans Of All Time

DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images

20. Bethesda, Maryland
> Median household income: $164,142
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 85.9% — 2nd highest of 1,775 cities
> Poverty rate: 3.5% — 73rd lowest of 1,775 cities (tied)
> Median home value: $911,000 — 44th highest of 1,775 cities
> Population: 63,195

[in-text-ad]

YSPhoto / iStock via Getty Images

19. Wilmette, Illinois
> Median household income: $164,681
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 83.2% — 8th highest of 1,775 cities
> Poverty rate: 3.1% — 44th lowest of 1,775 cities (tied)
> Median home value: $707,800 — 102nd highest of 1,775 cities
> Population: 27,247

ALSO READ: States Paying Teachers Most and Least

18. Needham, Massachusetts
> Median household income: $165,547
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 76.0% — 23rd highest of 1,775 cities (tied)
> Poverty rate: 2.7% — 17th lowest of 1,775 cities (tied)
> Median home value: $855,300 — 59th highest of 1,775 cities
> Population: 30,970

USGirl / Getty Images

17. Dix Hills, New York
> Median household income: $166,334
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 63.1% — 131st highest of 1,775 cities (tied)
> Poverty rate: 2.9% — 30th lowest of 1,775 cities (tied)
> Median home value: $730,500 — 95th highest of 1,775 cities
> Population: 25,925

[in-text-ad-2]

Concord715 / Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

16. Brentwood, Tennessee
> Median household income: $168,688
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 76.1% — 22nd highest of 1,775 cities
> Poverty rate: 2.5% — 11th lowest of 1,775 cities (tied)
> Median home value: $655,400 — 125th highest of 1,775 cities
> Population: 42,407

ALSO READ: The Largest Employer in Every State

wdstock / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

15. Westfield, New Jersey
> Median household income: $170,798
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 74.1% — 32nd highest of 1,775 cities
> Poverty rate: 3.1% — 44th lowest of 1,775 cities (tied)
> Median home value: $743,400 — 90th highest of 1,775 cities
> Population: 29,877

[in-text-ad]

yhelfman / iStock via Getty Images

14. Cupertino, California
> Median household income: $171,917
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 78.8% — 15th highest of 1,775 cities
> Poverty rate: 6.0% — 315th lowest of 1,775 cities (tied)
> Median home value: $1,711,300 — 9th highest of 1,775 cities
> Population: 60,257

ALSO READ: The City in Every State With the Most Billionaires

SEASTOCK / iStock via Getty Images

13. Sammamish, Washington
> Median household income: $174,003
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 75.2% — 29th highest of 1,775 cities (tied)
> Poverty rate: 2.4% — 9th lowest of 1,775 cities (tied)
> Median home value: $830,000 — 66th highest of 1,775 cities
> Population: 64,674

Tomsmith585 / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

12. Lafayette, California
> Median household income: $178,889
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 71.6% — 40th highest of 1,775 cities
> Poverty rate: 3.4% — 65th lowest of 1,775 cities (tied)
> Median home value: $1,428,900 — 13th highest of 1,775 cities
> Population: 26,305

[in-text-ad-2]

Sundry Photography / iStock via Getty Images

11. San Carlos, California
> Median household income: $182,083
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 68.3% — 72nd highest of 1,775 cities
> Poverty rate: 3.0% — 36th lowest of 1,775 cities (tied)
> Median home value: $1,625,700 — 11th highest of 1,775 cities
> Population: 30,154

ALSO READ: The Most Iconic Job in Every State

Mike Coppola / Getty Images News via Getty Images

10. Ridgewood, New Jersey
> Median household income: $184,355
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 76.0% — 23rd highest of 1,775 cities (tied)
> Poverty rate: 3.5% — 73rd lowest of 1,775 cities (tied)
> Median home value: $763,300 — 85th highest of 1,775 cities
> Population: 25,179

[in-text-ad]

snikeltrut / iStock via Getty Images

9. Lexington, Massachusetts
> Median household income: $186,201
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 84.7% — 3rd highest of 1,775 cities
> Poverty rate: 3.2% — 48th lowest of 1,775 cities (tied)
> Median home value: $889,700 — 49th highest of 1,775 cities
> Population: 33,340

ALSO READ: You’ll Pay the Most in Taxes in These States

Andrei Stanescu / Getty Images

8. Saratoga, California
> Median household income: $191,677
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 77.5% — 18th highest of 1,775 cities
> Poverty rate: 4.7% — 182nd lowest of 1,775 cities (tied)
> Median home value: $2,000,000+ — 1st highest of 1,775 cities (tied)
> Population: 30,697

drnadig / E+ via Getty Images

7. Potomac, Maryland
> Median household income: $195,884
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 80.6% — 11th highest of 1,775 cities
> Poverty rate: 3.4% — 65th lowest of 1,775 cities (tied)
> Median home value: $893,800 — 47th highest of 1,775 cities
> Population: 45,940

[in-text-ad-2]

aimintang / iStock via Getty Images

6. Wellesley, Massachusetts
> Median household income: $197,132
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 83.8% — 5th highest of 1,775 cities
> Poverty rate: 4.4% — 157th lowest of 1,775 cities (tied)
> Median home value: $1,149,100 — 23rd highest of 1,775 cities
> Population: 28,747

ALSO READ: The 25 Lowest Paying Jobs In America

Tyler Blodgett / iStock via Getty Images

5. Westport, Connecticut
> Median household income: $206,466
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 78.0% — 17th highest of 1,775 cities
> Poverty rate: 4.1% — 131st lowest of 1,775 cities (tied)
> Median home value: $1,150,400 — 22nd highest of 1,775 cities
> Population: 28,016

[in-text-ad]

krblokhin / iStock via Getty Images

4. McLean, Virginia
> Median household income: $207,184
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 83.5% — 6th highest of 1,775 cities (tied)
> Poverty rate: 2.7% — 17th lowest of 1,775 cities (tied)
> Median home value: $1,031,200 — 32nd highest of 1,775 cities
> Population: 47,682

ALSO READ: The Poorest County In Every State

3. University Park, Texas
> Median household income: $224,485
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 87.8% — 1st highest of 1,775 cities
> Poverty rate: 3.9% — 109th lowest of 1,775 cities (tied)
> Median home value: $1,295,500 — 16th highest of 1,775 cities
> Population: 25,036

NNehring / iStock via Getty Images

2. Los Altos, California
> Median household income: $235,278
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 84.2% — 4th highest of 1,775 cities
> Poverty rate: 2.8% — 24th lowest of 1,775 cities (tied)
> Median home value: $2,000,000+ — 1st highest of 1,775 cities (tied)
> Population: 30,504

[in-text-ad-2]

Chriswardster / Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

1. Southlake, Texas
> Median household income: $240,248
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 69.7% — 57th highest of 1,775 cities
> Poverty rate: 2.5% — 11th lowest of 1,775 cities (tied)
> Median home value: $676,900 — 113th highest of 1,775 cities
> Population: 31,292

ALSO READ: America’s 25 Richest Universities

Methodology:

To identify America’s richest cities, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed five-year estimates of median household income from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2019 American Community Survey.

We used Census “place” geographies — a category that includes 29,573 incorporated legal entities and Census-designated statistical entities. We only considered the 29,319 places that had boundaries that fell within one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia.

We defined cities based on a population threshold — having more than 25,000 people — and 1,775 of the places fell within this threshold.

We ranked the cities based on median household income and used mean household income from the ACS to break ties.

Additional information on poverty, educational attainment, median home value, and population are also five-year estimates from the 2019 ACS.

Sponsored: Attention Savvy Investors: Speak to 3 Financial Experts – FREE

Ever wanted an extra set of eyes on an investment you’re considering? Now you can speak with up to 3 financial experts in your area for FREE. By simply
clicking here
you can begin to match with financial professionals who can help guide you through the financial decisions you’re making. And the best part? The first conversation with them is free.


Click here
to match with up to 3 financial pros who would be excited to help you make financial decisions.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.