These cities added the most high-income households
SmartAsset ranked 352 U.S. cities based on the percentage change in the proportion of households earning $200,000 or more annually over one year.
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Jaclyn DeJohn, CFP for SmartAsset
Kristi Blokhin // Shutterstock
High-income households can generally afford to spend more within their communities, both via local business and the tax base. The business mix of a city may be greatly influenced by the relative population of high-income earners. Similarly, the prevalence of high-income households also can help describe the relative quality of life of a population, or tell stories about potential wealth gaps or local growth. Changes in a city's relative proportion of households earning high income may change due to dynamics in the local job market, housing market, cost of living, age demographics, opportunities elsewhere, and beyond.
With this in mind, SmartAsset ranked 352 U.S. cities based on the percentage change in the proportion of households earning $200,000 or more annually over one year. Other data examined includes the new estimates of high-earning households, the number of high-income households added, and the local median income.
Key Findings
Palm Bay, Florida, saw the proportion of high-income households jump by nearly 150%. Even after accounting for a 13.8% growth in total households over the same year, Palm Bay went from 3% of households earning over $200,000 to 7.4%. This is an estimated addition of 2,403 households to this income category. Still, the local median household income dropped from $71,645 to $67,928 in that same time.
Nearly half of households earn over $200,000 in this city. Sunnyvale, California, has the highest rate of high-income households at 48.6%. This comes after an 11.21% jump in the proportion of high-income households locally, up from 43.7% households being high-earners the year before. The median household income here is also highest studywide at $169,781.
Waterbury, Connecticut, saw its high-income population decrease the most. Relative to its total households in each year, Waterbury's proportion of high-income households shrank by 63.2%. High-income earners went from representing 3.8% of households to 1.4% over one year. The median household income here now sits at $51,572.
Oakland, California, lost 2,691 high-income households in one year. Nominally, Oakland lost the most high-income households over one year. The city saw an 8% decline in the rate of high-income households after going from 23.7% to 21.8% of households. Garden Grove, California, lost the second-highest number of high-income households at -2,344.
Top 20 cities adding high-income households
SmartAsset
Palm Bay, Florida
Percentage change in the proportion of high-income households: 146.67%
Number of high-income households added over one year: 2,403
2023:
Total households: 50,448
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 7.4%
Number of high-income households: 3,733
Median household income: $67,928
2022:
Total households: 44,338
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 3%
Number of high-income households: 1,330
Median household income: $71,645
Percent change in total households over one year: 13.8%
Green Bay, Wisconsin
Percentage change in the proportion of high-income households: 119.35%
Number of high-income households added over one year: 1,676
2023:
Total households: 45,483
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 6.8%
Number of high-income households: 3,093
Median household income: $66,950
2022:
Total households: 45,689
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 3.1%
Number of high-income households: 1,416
Median household income: $55,177
Percent change in total households over one year: -0.5%
Paradise, Nevada
Percentage change in the proportion of high-income households: 114.71%
Number of high-income households added over one year: 2,929
2023:
Total households: 74,847
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 7.3%
Number of high-income households: 5,464
Median household income: $61,680
2022:
Total households: 74,554
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 3.4%
Number of high-income households: 2,535
Median household income: $55,578
Percent change in total households over one year: 0.4%
Brownsville, Texas
Percentage change in the proportion of high-income households: 112.50%
Number of high-income households added over one year: 1,274
2023:
Total households: 64,083
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 3.4%
Number of high-income households: 2,179
Median household income: $49,920
2022:
Total households: 56,576
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 1.6%
Number of high-income households: 905
Median household income: $46,912
Percent change in total households over one year: 13.3%
Lynn, Massachusetts
Percentage change in the proportion of high-income households: 112.12%
Number of high-income households added over one year: 2,682
2023:
Total households: 36,403
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 14%
Number of high-income households: 5,096
Median household income: $73,723
2022:
Total households: 36,587
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 6.6%
Number of high-income households: 2,415
Median household income: $62,374
Percent change in total households over one year: -0.5%
Bridgeport, Connecticut
Percentage change in the proportion of high-income households: 76.92%
Number of high-income households added over one year: 1,553
2023:
Total households: 54,695
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 6.9%
Number of high-income households: 3,774
Median household income: $58,515
2022:
Total households: 56,960
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 3.9%
Number of high-income households: 2,221
Median household income: $50,311
Percent change in total households over one year: -4%
Nampa, Idaho
Percentage change in the proportion of high-income households: 70.83%
Number of high-income households added over one year: 747
2023:
Total households: 41,060
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 4.1%
Number of high-income households: 1,683
Median household income: $71,752
2022:
Total households: 39,014
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 2.4%
Number of high-income households: 936
Median household income: $71,060
Percent change in total households over one year: 5.2%
Coral Springs, Florida
Percentage change in the proportion of high-income households: 70.71%
Number of high-income households added over one year: 3,381
2023:
Total households: 46,223
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 16.9%
Number of high-income households: 7,812
Median household income: $85,615
2022:
Total households: 44,755
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 9.9%
Number of high-income households: 4,431
Median household income: $85,570
Percent change in total households over one year: 3.3%
Norman, Oklahoma
Percentage change in the proportion of high-income households: 70.18%
Number of high-income households added over one year: 2,295
2023:
Total households: 54,715
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 9.7%
Number of high-income households: 5,307
Median household income: $62,411
2022:
Total households: 52,844
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 5.7%
Number of high-income households: 3,012
Median household income: $61,030
Percent change in total households over one year: 3.5%
Evansville, Indiana
Percentage change in the proportion of high-income households: 68%
Number of high-income households added over one year: 817
2023:
Total households: 51,696
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 4.2%
Number of high-income households: 2,171
Median household income: $52,318
2022:
Total households: 54,185
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 2.5%
Number of high-income households: 1,355
Median household income: $48,127
Percent change in total households over one year: -4.6%
South Bend, Indiana
Percentage change in the proportion of high-income households: 65.38%
Number of high-income households added over one year: 742
2023:
Total households: 42,331
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 4.3%
Number of high-income households: 1,820
Median household income: $55,767
2022:
Total households: 41,488
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 2.6%
Number of high-income households: 1,079
Median household income: $51,610
Percent change in total households over one year: 2%
Lakeland, Florida
Percentage change in the proportion of high-income households: 63.33%
Number of high-income households added over one year: 1,030
2023:
Total households: 51,663
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 4.9%
Number of high-income households: 2,531
Median household income: $57,131
2022:
Total households: 50,058
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 3%
Number of high-income households: 1,502
Median household income: $58,524
Percent change in total households over one year: 3.2%
Newark, New Jersey
Percentage change in the proportion of high-income households: 60%
Number of high-income households added over one year: 2,473
2023:
Total households: 114,599
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 5.6%
Number of high-income households: 6,418
Median household income: $53,818
2022:
Total households: 112,713
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 3.5%
Number of high-income households: 3,945
Median household income: $49,688
Percent change in total households over one year: 1.7%
Peoria, Illinois
Percentage change in the proportion of high-income households: 57.97%
Number of high-income households added over one year: 2,127
2023:
Total households: 49,577
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 10.9%
Number of high-income households: 5,404
Median household income: $52,796
2022:
Total households: 47,488
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 6.9%
Number of high-income households: 3,277
Median household income: $55,955
Percent change in total households over one year: 4.4%
Edinburg, Texas
Percentage change in the proportion of high-income households: 57.58%
Number of high-income households added over one year: 747
2023:
Total households: 34,958
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 5.2%
Number of high-income households: 1,818
Median household income: $61,059
2022:
Total households: 32,462
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 3.3%
Number of high-income households: 1,071
Median household income: $50,964
Percent change in total households over one year: 7.7%
Victorville, California
Percentage change in the proportion of high-income households: 57.41%
Number of high-income households added over one year: 1,318
2023:
Total households: 38,786
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 8.5%
Number of high-income households: 3,297
Median household income: $67,099
2022:
Total households: 36,647
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 5.4%
Number of high-income households: 1,979
Median household income: $69,569
Percent change in total households over one year: 5.8%
Hampton, Virginia
Percentage change in the proportion of high-income households: 57.14%
Number of high-income households added over one year: 1,412
2023:
Total households: 57,645
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 6.6%
Number of high-income households: 3,805
Median household income: $70,238
2022:
Total households: 56,961
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 4.2%
Number of high-income households: 2,392
Median household income: $64,924
Percent change in total households over one year: 1.2%
Wilmington, North Carolina
Percentage change in the proportion of high-income households: 54.55%
Number of high-income households added over one year: 2,833
2023:
Total households: 59,730
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 11.9%
Number of high-income households: 7,108
Median household income: $71,362
2022:
Total households: 55,512
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 7.7%
Number of high-income households: 4,274
Median household income: $63,835
Percent change in total households over one year: 7.6%
Elizabeth, New Jersey
Percentage change in the proportion of high-income households: 54.35%
Number of high-income households added over one year: 1,055
2023:
Total households: 45,491
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 7.1%
Number of high-income households: 3,230
Median household income: $71,715
2022:
Total households: 47,280
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 4.6%
Number of high-income households: 2,175
Median household income: $64,113
Percent change in total households over one year: -3.8%
Miami Gardens, Florida
Percentage change in the proportion of high-income households: 52.63%
Number of high-income households added over one year: 642
2023:
Total households: 34,688
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 5.8%
Number of high-income households: 2,012
Median household income: $67,169
2022:
Total households: 36,040
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 3.8%
Number of high-income households: 1,370
Median household income: $61,496
Percent change in total households over one year: -3.8%
Top 20 cities losing the most high-income households
Waterbury, Connecticut
Percentage change in the proportion of high-income households: -63.16%
Number of high-income households added over one year: -1,028
2023:
Total households: 45,898
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 1.4%
Number of high-income households: 643
Median household income: $43,420
2022:
Total households: 43,950
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 3.8%
Number of high-income households: 1,670
Median household income: $51,572
Percent change in total households over one year: 4.4%
Conroe, Texas
Percentage change in the proportion of high-income households: -43.31%
Number of high-income households added over one year: -2,212
2023:
Total households: 42,134
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 7.2%
Number of high-income households: 3,034
Median household income: $77,027
2022:
Total households: 41,302
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 12.7%
Number of high-income households: 5,245
Median household income: $65,728
Percent change in total households over one year: 2%
Laredo, Texas
Percentage change in the proportion of high-income households: -40.98%
Number of high-income households added over one year: -1,986
2023:
Total households: 79,072
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 3.6%
Number of high-income households: 2,847
Median household income: $60,720
2022:
Total households: 79,223
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 6.1%
Number of high-income households: 4,833
Median household income: $59,751
Percent change in total households over one year: -0.2%
Independence, Missouri
Percentage change in the proportion of high-income households: -38.89%
Number of high-income households added over one year: -812
2023:
Total households: 51,311
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 2.2%
Number of high-income households: 1,129
Median household income: $61,432
2022:
Total households: 53,919
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 3.6%
Number of high-income households: 1,941
Median household income: $53,082
Percent change in total households over one year: -4.8%
Garden Grove, California
Percentage change in the proportion of high-income households: -32.26%
Number of high-income households added over one year: -2,344
2023:
Total households: 50,343
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 10.5%
Number of high-income households: 5,286
Median household income: $87,407
2022:
Total households: 49,225
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 15.5%
Number of high-income households: 7,630
Median household income: $86,975
Percent change in total households over one year: 2.3%
Palmdale, California
Percentage change in the proportion of high-income households: -31.62%
Number of high-income households added over one year: -1,792
2023:
Total households: 47,380
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 9.3%
Number of high-income households: 4,406
Median household income: $78,743
2022:
Total households: 45,574
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 13.6%
Number of high-income households: 6,198
Median household income: $90,330
Percent change in total households over one year: 4%
Gresham, Oregon
Percentage change in the proportion of high-income households: -29.55%
Number of high-income households added over one year: -1,329
2023:
Total households: 42,173
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 6.2%
Number of high-income households: 2,615
Median household income: $76,205
2022:
Total households: 44,816
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 8.8%
Number of high-income households: 3,944
Median household income: $71,006
Percent change in total households over one year: -5.9%
Hartford, Connecticut
Percentage change in the proportion of high-income households: -29.41%
Number of high-income households added over one year: -825
2023:
Total households: 49,229
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 3.6%
Number of high-income households: 1,772
Median household income: $42,397
2022:
Total households: 50,933
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 5.1%
Number of high-income households: 2,598
Median household income: $41,529
Percent change in total households over one year: -3.3%
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Percentage change in the proportion of high-income households: -28.57%
Number of high-income households added over one year: -846
2023:
Total households: 42,870
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 5.5%
Number of high-income households: 2,358
Median household income: $43,235
2022:
Total households: 41,602
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 7.7%
Number of high-income households: 3,203
Median household income: $49,005
Percent change in total households over one year: 3%
New Haven, Connecticut
Percentage change in the proportion of high-income households: -26.92%
Number of high-income households added over one year: -1,480
2023:
Total households: 57,392
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 7.6%
Number of high-income households: 4,362
Median household income: $51,158
2022:
Total households: 56,174
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 10.4%
Number of high-income households: 5,842
Median household income: $53,909
Percent change in total households over one year: 2.2%
Billings, Montana
Percentage change in the proportion of high-income households: -26.67%
Number of high-income households added over one year: -1,116
2023:
Total households: 52,878
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 6.6%
Number of high-income households: 3,490
Median household income: $67,028
2022:
Total households: 51,174
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 9%
Number of high-income households: 4,606
Median household income: $77,711
Percent change in total households over one year: 3.3%
Jackson, Mississippi
Percentage change in the proportion of high-income households: -26.67%
Number of high-income households added over one year: -796
2023:
Total households: 60,636
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 3.3%
Number of high-income households: 2,001
Median household income: $42,336
2022:
Total households: 62,149
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 4.5%
Number of high-income households: 2,797
Median household income: $40,631
Percent change in total households over one year: -2.4%
Santa Maria, California
Percentage change in the proportion of high-income households: -25.96%
Number of high-income households added over one year: -818
2023:
Total households: 28,422
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 7.7%
Number of high-income households: 2,188
Median household income: $77,564
2022:
Total households: 28,907
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 10.4%
Number of high-income households: 3,006
Median household income: $81,447
Percent change in total households over one year: -1.7%
Beaumont, Texas
Percentage change in the proportion of high-income households: -25.00%
Number of high-income households added over one year: -663
2023:
Total households: 44,169
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 3.9%
Number of high-income households: 1,723
Median household income: $60,010
2022:
Total households: 45,870
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 5.2%
Number of high-income households: 2,385
Median household income: $57,944
Percent change in total households over one year: -3.7%
Kent, Washington
Percentage change in the proportion of high-income households: -23.40%
Number of high-income households added over one year: -1,127
2023:
Total households: 50,481
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 10.8%
Number of high-income households: 5,452
Median household income: $85,982
2022:
Total households: 46,661
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 14.1%
Number of high-income households: 6,579
Median household income: $83,314
Percent change in total households over one year: 8.2%
St. George, Utah
Percentage change in the proportion of high-income households: -21.98%
Number of high-income households added over one year: -653
2023:
Total households: 38,886
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 7.1%
Number of high-income households: 2,761
Median household income: $77,431
2022:
Total households: 37,515
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 9.1%
Number of high-income households: 3,414
Median household income: $70,386
Percent change in total households over one year: 3.7%
Inglewood, California
Percentage change in the proportion of high-income households: -21.74%
Number of high-income households added over one year: -499
2023:
Total households: 37,918
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 5.4%
Number of high-income households: 2,048
Median household income: $72,900
2022:
Total households: 36,901
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 6.9%
Number of high-income households: 2,546
Median household income: $62,601
Percent change in total households over one year: 2.8%
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Percentage change in the proportion of high-income households: -21.28%
Number of high-income households added over one year: -907
2023:
Total households: 115,195
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 3.7%
Number of high-income households: 4,262
Median household income: $57,138
2022:
Total households: 109,974
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 4.7%
Number of high-income households: 5,169
Median household income: $58,439
Percent change in total households over one year: 4.7%
Augusta, Georgia
Percentage change in the proportion of high-income households: -21.05%
Number of high-income households added over one year: -801
2023:
Total households: 76,232
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 4.5%
Number of high-income households: 3,430
Median household income: $51,943
2022:
Total households: 74,244
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 5.7%
Number of high-income households: 4,232
Median household income: $49,838
Percent change in total households over one year: 2.7%
Kansas City, Kansas
Percentage change in the proportion of high-income households: -20.93%
Number of high-income households added over one year: -527
2023:
Total households: 57,487
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 3.4%
Number of high-income households: 1,955
Median household income: $60,739
2022:
Total households: 57,714
Percent of households earning $200,000+: 4.3%
Number of high-income households: 2,482
Median household income: $58,233
Percent change in total households over one year: -0.4%
Data and methodology
Data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau 1-Year Community Survey for 2023 and 2022. The study includes 352 cities with a population of 100,000 or more for which data was available. Cities were ranked based on the growth in high-income households as a percentage of total households between 2022 and 2023. High-income households are defined as those making an income of $200,000 or more.
