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
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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
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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
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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
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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
_at_Chapel_Springs_Road_in_Linton_Hall,_Prince_William_County,_Virginia.jpg "View north along Virginia State Route 28... by Famartin")
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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
Source: 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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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