The national median household income reached $69,021, according to the U.S. Census Bureau December release of the 2021 American Community Survey five-year estimates. Median household income is an important indicator for understanding the level of wealth in places throughout the country. The recent five-year national median household income is 10% higher than the previous five-year period, 2012-2016, adjusted for inflation.
In dozens of cities, the median household income is significantly higher than the national figure, including 50 in which median household income is more than double the national figure – at least $153,000 or higher.
To identify America’s richest cities, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the recently released five-year estimates of median household income from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2021 American Community Survey. We only included census “place” geographies that have populations of at least 25,000.
None of the richest cities in the country are particularly large. Most are home to less than 50,000 residents, and the population of the largest, Fremont, California, is around 230,000. While big cities are often economic engines that produce considerable wealth, most of the richest places are the suburban areas that lie within the commuting orbit of major metropolises.
The SNAP benefit recipiency rate can be one indicator of poverty, and the richest cities in the country have a significantly lower share of the population relying on this program – formerly called food stamp – than the 11% share nationwide.
Many of the richest suburbs also have very expensive homes. Median home values in the 50 richest cities begin at $498,900, about double the median nationwide of $244,900, and reach over $2,000,000 among. Some of the cities listed are indeed among the cities with the most expensive homes.
Higher levels of education are correlated with higher incomes, and America’s 50 richest cities have significantly more educated populations than the population nationwide. Nationally, 33% of adults 25 and older hold at least a bachelor’s degree. In the richest cities, over half of adults in the same age group have at least a bachelor’s degree, and in 15, this figure is higher than 80%. (These are the most educated big cities in the country)
Click here to see the richest cities in America.
Click here to see our detailed methodology.
50. Highland Park, Illinois
> Median household income: $153,226
> Median home value: $523,500 — 278th highest of 1,826 cities
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 76.4% — 28th highest of 1,826 cities
> SNAP recipiency rate: 2.2% — 100th lowest of 1,826 cities
> Population: 30,245 — 335th lowest of 1,826 cities
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49. Fremont, California
> Median household income: $153,475
> Median home value: $1,069,700 — 35th highest of 1,826 cities
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 60.1% — 184th highest of 1,826 cities
> SNAP recipiency rate: 3.1% — 198th lowest of 1,826 cities
> Population: 231,502 — 97th highest of 1,826 cities
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48. Commack, New York
> Median household income: $153,858
> Median home value: $560,800 — 237th highest of 1,826 cities
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 56.4% — 234th highest of 1,826 cities
> SNAP recipiency rate: 2.6% — 140th lowest of 1,826 cities
> Population: 36,252 — 607th lowest of 1,826 cities
47. Milton, Massachusetts
> Median household income: $153,971
> Median home value: $710,700 — 132nd highest of 1,826 cities
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 65.0% — 125th highest of 1,826 cities
> SNAP recipiency rate: 4.0% — 306th lowest of 1,826 cities
> Population: 28,382 — 243rd lowest of 1,826 cities
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46. Burke, Virginia
> Median household income: $157,336
> Median home value: $573,900 — 222nd highest of 1,826 cities
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 64.2% — 136th highest of 1,826 cities
> SNAP recipiency rate: 2.8% — 172nd lowest of 1,826 cities
> Population: 44,191 — 843rd lowest of 1,826 cities
45. North Tustin, California
> Median household income: $157,487
> Median home value: $973,800 — 50th highest of 1,826 cities
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 57.7% — 218th highest of 1,826 cities
> SNAP recipiency rate: 1.0% — 22nd lowest of 1,826 cities
> Population: 25,708 — 65th lowest of 1,826 cities
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44. Mountain View, California
> Median household income: $158,104
> Median home value: $1,613,300 — 13th highest of 1,826 cities
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 72.1% — 49th highest of 1,826 cities
> SNAP recipiency rate: 3.2% — 209th lowest of 1,826 cities
> Population: 82,409 — 452nd highest of 1,826 cities
43. Rancho Palos Verdes, California
> Median household income: $158,996
> Median home value: $1,247,600 — 24th highest of 1,826 cities
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 68.4% — 92nd highest of 1,826 cities
> SNAP recipiency rate: 1.1% — 29th lowest of 1,826 cities
> Population: 42,316 — 795th lowest of 1,826 cities
42. Prosper, Texas
> Median household income: $159,164
> Median home value: $524,700 — 277th highest of 1,826 cities
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 63.7% — 141st highest of 1,826 cities
> SNAP recipiency rate: 1.9% — 87th lowest of 1,826 cities
> Population: 28,825 — 267th lowest of 1,826 cities
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41. Leawood, Kansas
> Median household income: $159,540
> Median home value: $498,900 — 296th highest of 1,826 cities
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 74.7% — 35th highest of 1,826 cities
> SNAP recipiency rate: 1.1% — 25th lowest of 1,826 cities
> Population: 33,748 — 497th lowest of 1,826 cities
40. Hoboken, New Jersey
> Median household income: $160,890
> Median home value: $777,600 — 103rd highest of 1,826 cities
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 80.3% — 16th highest of 1,826 cities
> SNAP recipiency rate: 4.7% — 378th lowest of 1,826 cities
> Population: 59,369 — 700th highest of 1,826 cities
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39. Olney, Maryland
> Median household income: $161,065
> Median home value: $551,300 — 250th highest of 1,826 cities
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 66.0% — 112th highest of 1,826 cities
> SNAP recipiency rate: 3.4% — 231st lowest of 1,826 cities
> Population: 35,815 — 590th lowest of 1,826 cities
38. Sunnyvale, California
> Median household income: $161,670
> Median home value: $1,528,500 — 15th highest of 1,826 cities
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 66.8% — 106th highest of 1,826 cities
> SNAP recipiency rate: 2.2% — 106th lowest of 1,826 cities
> Population: 155,550 — 175th highest of 1,826 cities
37. Mill Creek East, Washington
> Median household income: $161,684
> Median home value: $637,300 — 170th highest of 1,826 cities
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 60.4% — 177th highest of 1,826 cities
> SNAP recipiency rate: 4.6% — 370th lowest of 1,826 cities
> Population: 25,528 — 61st lowest of 1,826 cities
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36. Newton, Massachusetts
> Median household income: $164,607
> Median home value: $992,800 — 44th highest of 1,826 cities
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 80.2% — 17th highest of 1,826 cities
> SNAP recipiency rate: 4.0% — 309th lowest of 1,826 cities
> Population: 88,647 — 402nd highest of 1,826 cities
35. Princeton, New Jersey
> Median household income: $165,149
> Median home value: $893,600 — 71st highest of 1,826 cities
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 85.3% — 4th highest of 1,826 cities
> SNAP recipiency rate: 2.7% — 163rd lowest of 1,826 cities
> Population: 30,717 — 357th lowest of 1,826 cities
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34. Brentwood, Tennessee
> Median household income: $165,948
> Median home value: $711,900 — 130th highest of 1,826 cities
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 75.6% — 32nd highest of 1,826 cities
> SNAP recipiency rate: 0.2% — 2nd lowest of 1,826 cities
> Population: 44,354 — 849th lowest of 1,826 cities
33. Los Gatos, California
> Median household income: $166,642
> Median home value: $1,893,200 — 11th highest of 1,826 cities
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 73.4% — 42nd highest of 1,826 cities
> SNAP recipiency rate: 1.3% — 38th lowest of 1,826 cities
> Population: 33,309 — 480th lowest of 1,826 cities
32. Pleasanton, California
> Median household income: $167,932
> Median home value: $1,116,800 — 31st highest of 1,826 cities
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 66.3% — 110th highest of 1,826 cities
> SNAP recipiency rate: 2.4% — 124th lowest of 1,826 cities
> Population: 79,558 — 468th highest of 1,826 cities
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31. Plainview, New York
> Median household income: $168,140
> Median home value: $632,300 — 175th highest of 1,826 cities
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 69.0% — 83rd highest of 1,826 cities
> SNAP recipiency rate: 2.3% — 117th lowest of 1,826 cities
> Population: 26,665 — 129th lowest of 1,826 cities
30. Manhattan Beach, California
> Median household income: $169,586
> Median home value: $2,000,000+ — the highest of 1,826 cities (tied)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 77.9% — 22nd highest of 1,826 cities
> SNAP recipiency rate: 0.6% — 7th lowest of 1,826 cities
> Population: 35,585 — 583rd lowest of 1,826 cities
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29. Ladera Ranch, California
> Median household income: $169,706
> Median home value: $863,400 — 80th highest of 1,826 cities
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 65.8% — 115th highest of 1,826 cities
> SNAP recipiency rate: 0.9% — 14th lowest of 1,826 cities
> Population: 25,526 — 60th lowest of 1,826 cities
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28. Mercer Island, Washington
> Median household income: $170,000
> Median home value: $1,504,500 — 17th highest of 1,826 cities
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 77.5% — 23rd highest of 1,826 cities
> SNAP recipiency rate: 1.2% — 32nd lowest of 1,826 cities
> Population: 25,506 — 57th lowest of 1,826 cities
27. South Riding, Virginia
> Median household income: $170,456
> Median home value: $571,300 — 226th highest of 1,826 cities
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 68.2% — 95th highest of 1,826 cities
> SNAP recipiency rate: 2.1% — 96th lowest of 1,826 cities
> Population: 33,828 — 501st lowest of 1,826 cities
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26. Dublin, California
> Median household income: $171,168
> Median home value: $983,000 — 46th highest of 1,826 cities
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 67.6% — 101st highest of 1,826 cities
> SNAP recipiency rate: 2.7% — 161st lowest of 1,826 cities
> Population: 69,818 — 563rd highest of 1,826 cities
25. San Ramon, California
> Median household income: $173,519
> Median home value: $1,063,200 — 37th highest of 1,826 cities
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 70.3% — 68th highest of 1,826 cities
> SNAP recipiency rate: 2.0% — 91st lowest of 1,826 cities
> Population: 85,688 — 424th highest of 1,826 cities
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24. Foster City, California
> Median household income: $173,721
> Median home value: $1,482,500 — 19th highest of 1,826 cities
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 70.2% — 70th highest of 1,826 cities
> SNAP recipiency rate: 1.1% — 26th lowest of 1,826 cities
> Population: 33,511 — 488th lowest of 1,826 cities
23. Wilmette, Illinois
> Median household income: $173,967
> Median home value: $710,400 — 133rd highest of 1,826 cities
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 83.8% — 10th highest of 1,826 cities
> SNAP recipiency rate: 2.6% — 139th lowest of 1,826 cities
> Population: 27,895 — 208th lowest of 1,826 cities
22. Parkland, Florida
> Median household income: $174,295
> Median home value: $655,300 — 156th highest of 1,826 cities
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 66.7% — 107th highest of 1,826 cities
> SNAP recipiency rate: 1.6% — 64th lowest of 1,826 cities
> Population: 33,772 — 499th lowest of 1,826 cities
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21. Belmont, California
> Median household income: $178,125
> Median home value: $1,682,000 — 12th highest of 1,826 cities
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 69.2% — 80th highest of 1,826 cities
> SNAP recipiency rate: 4.5% — 359th lowest of 1,826 cities
> Population: 28,109 — 227th lowest of 1,826 cities
20. Bethesda, Maryland
> Median household income: $178,370
> Median home value: $958,400 — 56th highest of 1,826 cities
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 87.9% — 2nd highest of 1,826 cities
> SNAP recipiency rate: 2.5% — 132nd lowest of 1,826 cities
> Population: 66,294 — 610th highest of 1,826 cities
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19. Menlo Park, California
> Median household income: $179,913
> Median home value: $2,000,000+ — the highest of 1,826 cities (tied)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 72.6% — 47th highest of 1,826 cities
> SNAP recipiency rate: 2.1% — 97th lowest of 1,826 cities
> Population: 33,677 — 494th lowest of 1,826 cities
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18. Colleyville, Texas
> Median household income: $180,698
> Median home value: $586,400 — 215th highest of 1,826 cities
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 68.8% — 85th highest of 1,826 cities
> SNAP recipiency rate: 0.0% — the lowest of 1,826 cities
> Population: 25,827 — 72nd lowest of 1,826 cities
17. Danville, California
> Median household income: $181,453
> Median home value: $1,252,400 — 22nd highest of 1,826 cities
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 70.4% — 65th highest of 1,826 cities
> SNAP recipiency rate: 1.0% — 23rd lowest of 1,826 cities
> Population: 43,673 — 834th lowest of 1,826 cities
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16. Needham, Massachusetts
> Median household income: $182,813
> Median home value: $939,800 — 60th highest of 1,826 cities
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 81.0% — 13th highest of 1,826 cities
> SNAP recipiency rate: 1.7% — 67th lowest of 1,826 cities
> Population: 31,808 — 417th lowest of 1,826 cities
15. Westfield, New Jersey
> Median household income: $185,319
> Median home value: $810,400 — 96th highest of 1,826 cities
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 76.4% — 29th highest of 1,826 cities
> SNAP recipiency rate: 1.3% — 36th lowest of 1,826 cities
> Population: 30,950 — 369th lowest of 1,826 cities
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14. Lafayette, California
> Median household income: $192,546
> Median home value: $1,606,400 — 14th highest of 1,826 cities
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 74.2% — 37th highest of 1,826 cities
> SNAP recipiency rate: 2.4% — 127th lowest of 1,826 cities
> Population: 25,384 — 43rd lowest of 1,826 cities
13. Ridgewood, New Jersey
> Median household income: $194,256
> Median home value: $789,900 — 100th highest of 1,826 cities
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 78.3% — 21st highest of 1,826 cities
> SNAP recipiency rate: 1.6% — 60th lowest of 1,826 cities
> Population: 25,991 — 87th lowest of 1,826 cities
12. Palo Alto, California
> Median household income: $194,782
> Median home value: $2,000,000+ — the highest of 1,826 cities (tied)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 82.7% — 11th highest of 1,826 cities
> SNAP recipiency rate: 1.4% — 46th lowest of 1,826 cities
> Population: 68,624 — 578th highest of 1,826 cities
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11. Sammamish, Washington
> Median household income: $195,648
> Median home value: $939,600 — 61st highest of 1,826 cities
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 76.0% — 31st highest of 1,826 cities
> SNAP recipiency rate: 2.2% — 108th lowest of 1,826 cities
> Population: 66,532 — 602nd highest of 1,826 cities
10. Potomac, Maryland
> Median household income: $198,870
> Median home value: $937,000 — 62nd highest of 1,826 cities
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 83.8% — 9th highest of 1,826 cities
> SNAP recipiency rate: 2.8% — 166th lowest of 1,826 cities
> Population: 46,891 — 904th lowest of 1,826 cities
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9. Cupertino, California
> Median household income: $199,778
> Median home value: $2,000,000+ — the highest of 1,826 cities (tied)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 80.9% — 14th highest of 1,826 cities
> SNAP recipiency rate: 0.8% — 10th lowest of 1,826 cities
> Population: 60,681 — 682nd highest of 1,826 cities
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8. Lexington, Massachusetts
> Median household income: $202,852
> Median home value: $980,100 — 47th highest of 1,826 cities
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 85.0% — 5th highest of 1,826 cities
> SNAP recipiency rate: 2.3% — 118th lowest of 1,826 cities
> Population: 34,235 — 520th lowest of 1,826 cities
7. San Carlos, California
> Median household income: $204,570
> Median home value: $1,904,400 — 10th highest of 1,826 cities
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 67.7% — 100th highest of 1,826 cities
> SNAP recipiency rate: 0.8% — 13th lowest of 1,826 cities
> Population: 30,754 — 359th lowest of 1,826 cities (tied)
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6. Saratoga, California
> Median household income: $224,179
> Median home value: $2,000,000+ — the highest of 1,826 cities (tied)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 80.6% — 15th highest of 1,826 cities
> SNAP recipiency rate: 1.6% — 62nd lowest of 1,826 cities
> Population: 31,194 — 384th lowest of 1,826 cities
5. Wellesley, Massachusetts
> Median household income: $226,250
> Median home value: $1,251,800 — 23rd highest of 1,826 cities
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 84.9% — 6th highest of 1,826 cities
> SNAP recipiency rate: 2.7% — 159th lowest of 1,826 cities
> Population: 29,365 — 290th lowest of 1,826 cities
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4. Southlake, Texas
> Median household income: $239,833
> Median home value: $723,800 — 124th highest of 1,826 cities
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 73.0% — 45th highest of 1,826 cities
> SNAP recipiency rate: 1.4% — 47th lowest of 1,826 cities
> Population: 30,754 — 359th lowest of 1,826 cities (tied)
3. McLean, Virginia
> Median household income: $242,610
> Median home value: $1,102,100 — 33rd highest of 1,826 cities
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 84.7% — 7th highest of 1,826 cities
> SNAP recipiency rate: 0.8% — 12th lowest of 1,826 cities
> Population: 49,310 — 873rd highest of 1,826 cities
2. University Park, Texas
> Median household income: $247,045
> Median home value: $1,380,600 — 20th highest of 1,826 cities
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 88.5% — the highest of 1,826 cities
> SNAP recipiency rate: 0.4% — 3rd lowest of 1,826 cities
> Population: 25,029 — 5th lowest of 1,826 cities
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1. Los Altos, California
> Median household income: $250,000+
> Median home value: $2,000,000+ — the highest of 1,826 cities (tied)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 85.9% — 3rd highest of 1,826 cities
> SNAP recipiency rate: 0.5% — 4th lowest of 1,826 cities
> Population: 31,562 — 403rd lowest of 1,826 cities
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 2021 American Community Survey.
We used census “place” geographies — a category that includes incorporated legal entities and census-designated statistical entities. We defined cities based on population thresholds — having at least 25,000 people.
Cities were excluded if the number of households for which income was determined was less than 1,000 in the 2021 ACS or if the sampling error associated with a place’s data was deemed too high.
Additional data on the poverty rate, five year average unemployment, educational attainment, and population are also from the ACS.
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