Here's the median salary in the 25 biggest U.S. cities—see how you compare (2024)

In some of the largest U.S. cities, earning six figures isn't a benchmark — it's become the norm.

The median household income is over $100,000 in six cities, four of which are in California, according to a new analysis by GoBankingRates. In San Francisco, at least half of households make $146,872 — the highest of all cities.

Here's a look at the 10 wealthiest U.S. cities, based on 2022 U.S. Census household income data that's been adjusted to 2024 dollars:

1. San Francisco: $146,872
2. San Jose, California: $146,143
3. Seattle: $124,715
4. Washington, D.C.: $109,300
5. San Diego: $106,007
6. Oakland, California: $101,421
7. Boston: $95,858
8. Virginia Beach, Virginia: $94,066
9. Austin, Texas: $93,004
10. Portland, Oregon: $92,274

The median income among the largest 50 U.S. cities as a whole is $77,046, which is more in line with what most Americans typically earn. In 2024, the median annual household income is estimated to be $78,171, according to data consulting firm Motio Research.

But the amount that people earn can vary widely between cities. In Detroit — which is ranked 30th in population size — the median income is$40,574. That's the lowest of all cities and more than $100,000 less than the median in San Francisco.

The disparity largely reflects how the wealthiest Americans tend to be concentrated in a few of the largest U.S. cities. In San Francisco, there are 305,700 millionaires, which is second only to New York City's 349,500 millionaires, according to wealth intelligence firm New World Wealth.

The wealthiest cities also tend to offer a high number of well-paying jobs in technology, finance, entertainment or health-care industries. Land scarcity is a factor, too, as it restricts new housing developments and drives up property prices, which can exclude lower-income buyers from the market.

Below are the median household incomes for the 25 most populous U.S. cities, ranked from highest to lowest. The average household income for the wealthiest 5% of earners in each city is also included.

• Median household income: $146,872
• Average household income for top 5% earners: $1,007,363

• Median household income: $146,143
• Average household income for top 5% earners: $775,803

• Median household income: $124,715
• Average household income for top 5% earners: $773,332

• Median household income: $109,300
• Average household income for top 5% earners: $772,837

• Median household income: $106,007
• Average household income for top 5% earners: $614,755

• Median household income: $101,421
• Average household income for top 5% earners: $691,594

• Median household income: $95,858
• Average household income for top 5% earners: $727,746

• Median household income: $94,066
• Average household income for top 5% earners: $502,395

• Median household income: $93,004
• Average household income for top 5% earners: $607,976

• Median household income: $92,274
• Average household income for top 5% earners: $550,487

• Median household income: $92,249
• Average household income for top 5% earners: $625,097

• Median household income: $84,913
• Average household income for top 5% earners: $442,133

• Median household income: $84,880
• Average household income for top 5% earners: $457,729

• Median household income: $84,836
• Average household income for top 5% earners: $439,505

• Median household income: $84,489
• Average household income for top 5% earners: $565,658

• Median household income: $83,440
• Average household income for top 5% earners: $820,758

• Median household income: $82,314
• Average household income for top 5% earners: $746,353

• Median household income: $82,019
• Average household income for top 5% earners: $552,377

• Median household income: $81,924
• Average household income for top 5% earners: $667,861

• Median household income: $79,588
• Average household income for top 5% earners: $644,063

• Median household income: $79,327
• Average household income for top 5% earners: $453,412

• Median household income: $79,262
• Average household income for top 5% earners: $408,068

• Median household income: $78,144
• Average household income for top 5% earners: $436,906

• Median household income: $77,463
• Average household income for top 5% earners: $486,335

• Median household income: $77,080
• Average household income for top 5% earners: $385,600

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