The United States has some of the highest levels of income and wealth inequality in the world. U.S. Federal Reserve data shows that the wealthiest 10% of Americans control $93.8 trillion, more than double the $40.3 trillion in the hands of the remaining 90% of Americans.
The income and wealth divide only appears to be growing wider. A January 2020 report published by the Pew Research Center found that over the last four decades, income growth for the top 5% of families by earnings has far outpaced income growth for families in the lower income strata.
In a nation as large as the U.S., varied levels of income inequality may be expected. While some parts have wide income gaps, other parts of the country are defined, at least in part, by their relative income equality.
Using data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2019 American Community Survey, 24/7 Wall St. identified the city with the smallest income gap in each state. Cities are ranked by their Gini coefficient, a measure of income inequality based on the distribution of income across a population on a 0 to 1 scale — 0 representing perfect equality and 1 representing the highest possible level of inequality. For the purposes of this story, cities are defined as any place covered by the census with populations over 25,000.
Though each place on this list has the smallest degree of income inequality in its state, Gini scores vary considerably — from 0.282 to 0.496. Nationwide, the Gini coefficient stands at 0.482.
Causes behind rising inequality in the United States are complex and varied. A report published by the National Bureau of Economic Research ties the rising disparity to a range of economic factors, including globalization, technological advancement, a stagnant minimum wage, and the decline of labor unions.
Click here to see the metro with the city with the smallest income gaps in every state
Click here to read our detailed methodology
Alabama: Alabaster
> Gini index: 0.351 (Alabama: 0.479)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $175,155 (Alabama: $177,811)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $23,147 (Alabama: $10,538)
> Share of all income in Alabaster that went to top 20%: 39.6% (Alabama: 50.9%)
> Share of all income in Alabaster that went to bottom 20%: 5.3% (Alabama: 3.0%)
> Median household income: $80,072 (Alabama: $50,536)
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Alaska: Juneau
> Gini index: 0.398 (Alaska: 0.428)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $237,832 (Alaska: $230,147)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $23,479 (Alaska: $18,977)
> Share of all income in Juneau that went to top 20%: 44.3% (Alaska: 46.7%)
> Share of all income in Juneau that went to bottom 20%: 4.4% (Alaska: 3.8%)
> Median household income: $88,390 (Alaska: $77,640)
Arizona: El Mirage
> Gini index: 0.349 (Arizona: 0.466)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $134,858 (Arizona: $202,970)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $18,800 (Arizona: $13,587)
> Share of all income in El Mirage that went to top 20%: 40.3% (Arizona: 50.3%)
> Share of all income in El Mirage that went to bottom 20%: 5.6% (Arizona: 3.4%)
> Median household income: $58,216 (Arizona: $58,945)
Arkansas: Cabot
> Gini index: 0.389 (Arkansas: 0.477)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $155,504 (Arkansas: $170,176)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $15,503 (Arkansas: $11,049)
> Share of all income in Cabot that went to top 20%: 42.9% (Arkansas: 51.1%)
> Share of all income in Cabot that went to bottom 20%: 4.3% (Arkansas: 3.3%)
> Median household income: $60,591 (Arkansas: $47,597)
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California: French Valley
> Gini index: 0.327 (California: 0.489)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $241,019 (California: $278,638)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $39,742 (California: $15,827)
> Share of all income in French Valley that went to top 20%: 39.0% (California: 52.1%)
> Share of all income in French Valley that went to bottom 20%: 6.4% (California: 3.0%)
> Median household income: $111,052 (California: $75,235)
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Colorado: Dakota Ridge
> Gini index: 0.352 (Colorado: 0.457)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $233,911 (Colorado: $239,479)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $31,901 (Colorado: $17,187)
> Share of all income in Dakota Ridge that went to top 20%: 40.8% (Colorado: 49.4%)
> Share of all income in Dakota Ridge that went to bottom 20%: 5.6% (Colorado: 3.5%)
> Median household income: $100,438 (Colorado: $72,331)
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Connecticut: Newington
> Gini index: 0.365 (Connecticut: 0.496)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $192,741 (Connecticut: $298,915)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $22,540 (Connecticut: $16,569)
> Share of all income in Newington that went to top 20%: 41.1% (Connecticut: 52.9%)
> Share of all income in Newington that went to bottom 20%: 4.8% (Connecticut: 2.9%)
> Median household income: $81,646 (Connecticut: $78,444)
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Delaware: Dover
> Gini index: 0.453 (Delaware: 0.454)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $152,992 (Delaware: $221,085)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $11,234 (Delaware: $15,768)
> Share of all income in Dover that went to top 20%: 48.2% (Delaware: 49.1%)
> Share of all income in Dover that went to bottom 20%: 3.5% (Delaware: 3.5%)
> Median household income: $47,669 (Delaware: $68,287)
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Florida: Oakleaf Plantation
> Gini index: 0.328 (Florida: 0.486)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $177,863 (Florida: $209,841)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $27,404 (Florida: $13,086)
> Share of all income in Oakleaf Plantation that went to top 20%: 37.9% (Florida: 52.3%)
> Share of all income in Oakleaf Plantation that went to bottom 20%: 5.8% (Florida: 3.3%)
> Median household income: $87,485 (Florida: $55,660)
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Georgia: Evans
> Gini index: 0.366 (Georgia: 0.482)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $265,136 (Georgia: $212,411)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $33,298 (Georgia: $12,798)
> Share of all income in Evans that went to top 20%: 42.1% (Georgia: 51.5%)
> Share of all income in Evans that went to bottom 20%: 5.3% (Georgia: 3.1%)
> Median household income: $110,036 (Georgia: $58,700)
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Hawaii: Ewa Gentry
> Gini index: 0.299 (Hawaii: 0.441)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $228,705 (Hawaii: $247,294)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $44,555 (Hawaii: $17,890)
> Share of all income in Ewa Gentry that went to top 20%: 37.3% (Hawaii: 47.7%)
> Share of all income in Ewa Gentry that went to bottom 20%: 7.3% (Hawaii: 3.5%)
> Median household income: $111,272 (Hawaii: $81,275)
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Idaho: Nampa
> Gini index: 0.377 (Idaho: 0.446)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $120,748 (Idaho: $178,921)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $13,313 (Idaho: $13,921)
> Share of all income in Nampa that went to top 20%: 42.3% (Idaho: 48.5%)
> Share of all income in Nampa that went to bottom 20%: 4.7% (Idaho: 3.8%)
> Median household income: $48,846 (Idaho: $55,785)
Illinois: Oswego
> Gini index: 0.331 (Illinois: 0.482)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $232,623 (Illinois: $237,616)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $38,431 (Illinois: $14,052)
> Share of all income in Oswego that went to top 20%: 39.5% (Illinois: 51.4%)
> Share of all income in Oswego that went to bottom 20%: 6.5% (Illinois: 3.0%)
> Median household income: $102,110 (Illinois: $65,886)
Indiana: Brownsburg
> Gini index: 0.364 (Indiana: 0.453)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $193,455 (Indiana: $183,445)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $25,459 (Indiana: $13,570)
> Share of all income in Brownsburg that went to top 20%: 40.8% (Indiana: 48.9%)
> Share of all income in Brownsburg that went to bottom 20%: 5.4% (Indiana: 3.6%)
> Median household income: $78,877 (Indiana: $56,303)
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Iowa: Ankeny
> Gini index: 0.394 (Iowa: 0.442)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $235,276 (Iowa: $187,874)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $27,549 (Iowa: $14,836)
> Share of all income in Ankeny that went to top 20%: 44.8% (Iowa: 47.9%)
> Share of all income in Ankeny that went to bottom 20%: 5.2% (Iowa: 3.8%)
> Median household income: $86,486 (Iowa: $60,523)
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Kansas: Olathe
> Gini index: 0.384 (Kansas: 0.456)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $225,610 (Kansas: $197,458)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $24,910 (Kansas: $14,449)
> Share of all income in Olathe that went to top 20%: 42.9% (Kansas: 49.4%)
> Share of all income in Olathe that went to bottom 20%: 4.7% (Kansas: 3.6%)
> Median household income: $90,435 (Kansas: $59,597)
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Kentucky: Independence
> Gini index: 0.317 (Kentucky: 0.479)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $169,310 (Kentucky: $178,883)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $28,155 (Kentucky: $10,912)
> Share of all income in Independence that went to top 20%: 38.0% (Kentucky: 51.0%)
> Share of all income in Independence that went to bottom 20%: 6.3% (Kentucky: 3.1%)
> Median household income: $81,657 (Kentucky: $50,589)
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Louisiana: Prairieville
> Gini index: 0.37 (Louisiana: 0.495)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $227,741 (Louisiana: $185,481)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $25,626 (Louisiana: $9,757)
> Share of all income in Prairieville that went to top 20%: 41.1% (Louisiana: 52.3%)
> Share of all income in Prairieville that went to bottom 20%: 4.6% (Louisiana: 2.8%)
> Median household income: $99,953 (Louisiana: $49,469)
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Maine: South Portland
> Gini index: 0.433 (Maine: 0.451)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $204,347 (Maine: $185,447)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $15,813 (Maine: $13,702)
> Share of all income in South Portland that went to top 20%: 46.9% (Maine: 48.7%)
> Share of all income in South Portland that went to bottom 20%: 3.6% (Maine: 3.6%)
> Median household income: $69,290 (Maine: $57,918)
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Maryland: Crofton
> Gini index: 0.332 (Maryland: 0.454)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $292,971 (Maryland: $272,042)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $50,118 (Maryland: $18,854)
> Share of all income in Crofton that went to top 20%: 40.4% (Maryland: 48.8%)
> Share of all income in Crofton that went to bottom 20%: 6.9% (Maryland: 3.4%)
> Median household income: $123,858 (Maryland: $84,805)
Massachusetts: Bridgewater Town
> Gini index: 0.387 (Massachusetts: 0.483)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $234,406 (Massachusetts: $284,857)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $22,194 (Massachusetts: $15,520)
> Share of all income in Bridgewater Town that went to top 20%: 42.8% (Massachusetts: 51.1%)
> Share of all income in Bridgewater Town that went to bottom 20%: 4.1% (Massachusetts: 2.8%)
> Median household income: $95,675 (Massachusetts: $81,215)
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Michigan: Garden City
> Gini index: 0.37 (Michigan: 0.467)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $139,328 (Michigan: $196,731)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $16,487 (Michigan: $13,156)
> Share of all income in Garden City that went to top 20%: 41.8% (Michigan: 50.2%)
> Share of all income in Garden City that went to bottom 20%: 4.9% (Michigan: 3.4%)
> Median household income: $56,521 (Michigan: $57,144)
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Minnesota: Cottage Grove
> Gini index: 0.341 (Minnesota: 0.449)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $232,513 (Minnesota: $228,793)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $36,040 (Minnesota: $17,300)
> Share of all income in Cottage Grove that went to top 20%: 40.3% (Minnesota: 48.7%)
> Share of all income in Cottage Grove that went to bottom 20%: 6.2% (Minnesota: 3.7%)
> Median household income: $102,039 (Minnesota: $71,306)
Mississippi: Olive Branch
> Gini index: 0.361 (Mississippi: 0.481)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $180,070 (Mississippi: $160,084)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $23,086 (Mississippi: $9,367)
> Share of all income in Olive Branch that went to top 20%: 41.4% (Mississippi: 51.0%)
> Share of all income in Olive Branch that went to bottom 20%: 5.3% (Mississippi: 3.0%)
> Median household income: $74,680 (Mississippi: $45,081)
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Missouri: Wentzville
> Gini index: 0.351 (Missouri: 0.464)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $203,715 (Missouri: $190,290)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $25,442 (Missouri: $13,281)
> Share of all income in Wentzville that went to top 20%: 40.4% (Missouri: 50.0%)
> Share of all income in Wentzville that went to bottom 20%: 5.1% (Missouri: 3.5%)
> Median household income: $90,403 (Missouri: $55,461)
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Montana: Helena
> Gini index: 0.45 (Montana: 0.459)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $192,791 (Montana: $184,017)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $13,821 (Montana: $13,337)
> Share of all income in Helena that went to top 20%: 48.5% (Montana: 49.6%)
> Share of all income in Helena that went to bottom 20%: 3.5% (Montana: 3.6%)
> Median household income: $61,324 (Montana: $54,970)
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Nebraska: Bellevue
> Gini index: 0.39 (Nebraska: 0.444)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $166,969 (Nebraska: $193,357)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $18,008 (Nebraska: $15,168)
> Share of all income in Bellevue that went to top 20%: 43.3% (Nebraska: 48.2%)
> Share of all income in Bellevue that went to bottom 20%: 4.7% (Nebraska: 3.8%)
> Median household income: $65,308 (Nebraska: $61,439)
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Nevada: North Las Vegas
> Gini index: 0.394 (Nevada: 0.462)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $157,404 (Nevada: $203,124)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $15,842 (Nevada: $14,239)
> Share of all income in North Las Vegas that went to top 20%: 43.5% (Nevada: 49.8%)
> Share of all income in North Las Vegas that went to bottom 20%: 4.4% (Nevada: 3.5%)
> Median household income: $59,835 (Nevada: $60,365)
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New Hampshire: Manchester
> Gini index: 0.425 (New Hampshire: 0.438)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $174,550 (New Hampshire: $236,675)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $14,235 (New Hampshire: $18,862)
> Share of all income in Manchester that went to top 20%: 46.1% (New Hampshire: 47.7%)
> Share of all income in Manchester that went to bottom 20%: 3.8% (New Hampshire: 3.8%)
> Median household income: $60,711 (New Hampshire: $76,768)
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New Jersey: Linden
> Gini index: 0.387 (New Jersey: 0.481)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $181,447 (New Jersey: $294,079)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $18,697 (New Jersey: $16,981)
> Share of all income in Linden that went to top 20%: 43.0% (New Jersey: 51.3%)
> Share of all income in Linden that went to bottom 20%: 4.4% (New Jersey: 3.0%)
> Median household income: $73,386 (New Jersey: $82,545)
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New Mexico: Rio Rancho
> Gini index: 0.391 (New Mexico: 0.478)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $175,275 (New Mexico: $175,925)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $18,662 (New Mexico: $10,558)
> Share of all income in Rio Rancho that went to top 20%: 44.0% (New Mexico: 50.9%)
> Share of all income in Rio Rancho that went to bottom 20%: 4.7% (New Mexico: 3.1%)
> Median household income: $66,856 (New Mexico: $49,754)
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New York: Levittown
> Gini index: 0.352 (New York: 0.514)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $266,934 (New York: $276,728)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $33,309 (New York: $13,020)
> Share of all income in Levittown that went to top 20%: 40.0% (New York: 54.3%)
> Share of all income in Levittown that went to bottom 20%: 5.0% (New York: 2.6%)
> Median household income: $124,995 (New York: $68,486)
North Carolina: Holly Springs
> Gini index: 0.369 (North Carolina: 0.476)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $274,405 (North Carolina: $196,793)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $33,728 (North Carolina: $12,761)
> Share of all income in Holly Springs that went to top 20%: 42.1% (North Carolina: 51.2%)
> Share of all income in Holly Springs that went to bottom 20%: 5.2% (North Carolina: 3.3%)
> Median household income: $112,029 (North Carolina: $54,602)
North Dakota: West Fargo
> Gini index: 0.416 (North Dakota: 0.454)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $252,752 (North Dakota: $208,518)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $25,372 (North Dakota: $14,804)
> Share of all income in West Fargo that went to top 20%: 47.3% (North Dakota: 48.8%)
> Share of all income in West Fargo that went to bottom 20%: 4.7% (North Dakota: 3.5%)
> Median household income: $85,120 (North Dakota: $64,894)
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Ohio: Westerville
> Gini index: 0.373 (Ohio: 0.465)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $222,685 (Ohio: $192,225)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $24,230 (Ohio: $12,861)
> Share of all income in Westerville that went to top 20%: 41.5% (Ohio: 50.0%)
> Share of all income in Westerville that went to bottom 20%: 4.5% (Ohio: 3.3%)
> Median household income: $93,717 (Ohio: $56,602)
Oklahoma: Owasso
> Gini index: 0.369 (Oklahoma: 0.469)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $178,763 (Oklahoma: $183,130)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $22,248 (Oklahoma: $12,268)
> Share of all income in Owasso that went to top 20%: 42.4% (Oklahoma: 50.4%)
> Share of all income in Owasso that went to bottom 20%: 5.3% (Oklahoma: 3.4%)
> Median household income: $72,443 (Oklahoma: $52,919)
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Oregon: Aloha
> Gini index: 0.361 (Oregon: 0.459)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $178,227 (Oregon: $208,393)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $21,390 (Oregon: $14,622)
> Share of all income in Aloha that went to top 20%: 40.9% (Oregon: 49.5%)
> Share of all income in Aloha that went to bottom 20%: 4.9% (Oregon: 3.5%)
> Median household income: $78,148 (Oregon: $62,818)
Pennsylvania: Levittown
> Gini index: 0.358 (Pennsylvania: 0.472)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $179,723 (Pennsylvania: $214,725)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $21,157 (Pennsylvania: $13,887)
> Share of all income in Levittown that went to top 20%: 40.3% (Pennsylvania: 50.6%)
> Share of all income in Levittown that went to bottom 20%: 4.7% (Pennsylvania: 3.3%)
> Median household income: $81,107 (Pennsylvania: $61,744)
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Rhode Island: Cranston
> Gini index: 0.418 (Rhode Island: 0.47)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $194,418 (Rhode Island: $222,204)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $16,248 (Rhode Island: $13,273)
> Share of all income in Cranston that went to top 20%: 45.2% (Rhode Island: 49.9%)
> Share of all income in Cranston that went to bottom 20%: 3.8% (Rhode Island: 3.0%)
> Median household income: $72,017 (Rhode Island: $67,167)
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South Carolina: Goose Creek
> Gini index: 0.372 (South Carolina: 0.474)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $167,927 (South Carolina: $186,571)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $18,974 (South Carolina: $11,736)
> Share of all income in Goose Creek that went to top 20%: 41.8% (South Carolina: 50.8%)
> Share of all income in Goose Creek that went to bottom 20%: 4.7% (South Carolina: 3.2%)
> Median household income: $68,893 (South Carolina: $53,199)
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South Dakota: Sioux Falls
> Gini index: 0.442 (South Dakota: 0.444)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $192,203 (South Dakota: $183,626)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $15,866 (South Dakota: $14,543)
> Share of all income in Sioux Falls that went to top 20%: 48.1% (South Dakota: 48.2%)
> Share of all income in Sioux Falls that went to bottom 20%: 4.0% (South Dakota: 3.8%)
> Median household income: $59,912 (South Dakota: $58,275)
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Tennessee: Spring Hill
> Gini index: 0.335 (Tennessee: 0.479)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $195,074 (Tennessee: $191,924)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $28,782 (Tennessee: $12,221)
> Share of all income in Spring Hill that went to top 20%: 39.1% (Tennessee: 51.3%)
> Share of all income in Spring Hill that went to bottom 20%: 5.8% (Tennessee: 3.3%)
> Median household income: $90,778 (Tennessee: $53,320)
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Texas: Cibolo
> Gini index: 0.317 (Texas: 0.479)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $219,476 (Texas: $224,146)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $37,593 (Texas: $14,034)
> Share of all income in Cibolo that went to top 20%: 38.0% (Texas: 51.4%)
> Share of all income in Cibolo that went to bottom 20%: 6.5% (Texas: 3.2%)
> Median household income: $104,601 (Texas: $61,874)
Utah: Eagle Mountain
> Gini index: 0.282 (Utah: 0.426)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $166,886 (Utah: $214,437)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $36,567 (Utah: $19,112)
> Share of all income in Eagle Mountain that went to top 20%: 36.5% (Utah: 47.0%)
> Share of all income in Eagle Mountain that went to bottom 20%: 8.0% (Utah: 4.2%)
> Median household income: $83,290 (Utah: $71,621)
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Vermont: Burlington*
> Gini index: 0.496 (Vermont: 0.448)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $186,745 (Vermont: $196,616)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $9,650 (Vermont: $14,666)
> Share of all income in Burlington that went to top 20%: 52.1% (Vermont: 48.4%)
> Share of all income in Burlington that went to bottom 20%: 2.7% (Vermont: 3.6%)
> Median household income: $51,394 (Vermont: $61,973)
*Because Burlington is the only eligible city in Vermont, it is the city with the smallest income gaps by default.
_at_Prospect_Hill_Road_in_Glenn_Dale,_Prince_Georges_County,_Maryland.jpg#/media/File:2016-09-13_12_31_43_View_south_along_Maryland_State_Route_953_(Glenn_Dale_Road)_at_Prospect_Hill_Road_in_Glenn_Dale,_Prince_Georges_County,_Maryland.jpg "2016-09-13 12 31 43 View south along Maryland State Route 953 (Glenn Dale Road) at Prospect Hill Road in Glenn Dale, Prince Georges County, Maryland by Famartin")
Virginia: Linton Hall
> Gini index: 0.306 (Virginia: 0.469)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $296,634 (Virginia: $256,360)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $55,108 (Virginia: $16,508)
> Share of all income in Linton Hall that went to top 20%: 37.3% (Virginia: 50.4%)
> Share of all income in Linton Hall that went to bottom 20%: 6.9% (Virginia: 3.3%)
> Median household income: $144,420 (Virginia: $74,222)
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Source: Art Wager / Getty Images
Washington: Maple Valley
> Gini index: 0.333 (Washington: 0.457)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $247,113 (Washington: $244,742)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $35,911 (Washington: $17,314)
> Share of all income in Maple Valley that went to top 20%: 39.2% (Washington: 49.5%)
> Share of all income in Maple Valley that went to bottom 20%: 5.7% (Washington: 3.5%)
> Median household income: $114,159 (Washington: $73,775)
Source: 6381380 / iStock via Getty Images
West Virginia: Parkersburg
> Gini index: 0.495 (West Virginia: 0.467)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $133,702 (West Virginia: $158,941)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $7,279 (West Virginia: $10,504)
> Share of all income in Parkersburg that went to top 20%: 52.2% (West Virginia: 49.9%)
> Share of all income in Parkersburg that went to bottom 20%: 2.8% (West Virginia: 3.3%)
> Median household income: $35,778 (West Virginia: $46,711)
Source: filo / Getty Images
Wisconsin: Sun Prairie
> Gini index: 0.367 (Wisconsin: 0.445)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $184,314 (Wisconsin: $194,624)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $22,929 (Wisconsin: $15,311)
> Share of all income in Sun Prairie that went to top 20%: 41.4% (Wisconsin: 48.3%)
> Share of all income in Sun Prairie that went to bottom 20%: 5.2% (Wisconsin: 3.8%)
> Median household income: $77,139 (Wisconsin: $61,747)
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Wyoming: Gillette
> Gini index: 0.398 (Wyoming: 0.436)
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $187,043 (Wyoming: $193,249)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $15,914 (Wyoming: $15,572)
> Share of all income in Gillette that went to top 20%: 42.6% (Wyoming: 47.2%)
> Share of all income in Gillette that went to bottom 20%: 3.6% (Wyoming: 3.8%)
> Median household income: $79,789 (Wyoming: $64,049)
To determine the city with the smallest income gaps in every state, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed five-year estimates of the Gini Index of income inequality from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2019 American Community Survey.
The Gini Index of income inequality summarizes income dispersion in an area on a scale from 0 to 1. A value of 0 indicates perfect equality — everyone in the area receives an equal share of income. A value of 1 indicates perfect inequality — only one recipient receives all the income.
We used census “place” geographies — a category that includes 29,573 incorporated legal entities and census-designated statistical entities. Of those, 29,319 had boundaries that fell within one of the 50 states, while the rest were in the District of Columbia or Puerto Rico.
We defined cities based on a population threshold — having more than 25,000 people — and 1,774 of the places fell within this threshold.
Cities were ranked within their state based on their Gini Index. To break ties, we used the share of aggregate household income earned by the top 20% of households.
Additional information on average household income by quintile, share of aggregate household income by quintile, and median household income are also five-year estimates from the 2019 ACS.
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