AAPL

TSLA

AMZN

News & Insights

Personal Finance

50 Best Places for the Young and Wealthy To Live

December 12, 2024 — 07:00 am EST

Written by Heather Taylor for GOBankingRates ->

Where should rich, young Americans live? The best cities aren’t the traditional ones we associate with prosperity, like New York City or Los Angeles. This demographic is prioritizing residing in safe metros such as Austin and Seattle, where they can earn upwards of $150,000 a year and continue growing their wealth.

Check Out: 10 Best and 10 Worst States for Millennials To Buy a Home

Learn More: 5 Subtly Genius Moves All Wealthy People Make With Their Money

To find the best places for the young and wealthy to live in, GOBankingRates analyzed various key factors from the U.S. Census American Community Survey, Sperling’s BestPlaces, the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey and the Federal Reserve Economic Data. Each city’s property crime and violent crime statistics per 1,000 residents was sourced from the FBI’s Crime Data Explorer along with the livability index from AreaVibes to determine the overall quality of life. Wealthy, in this study, refers to being in the upper class income range. GOBankingRates used a minimum household income of $150,000 for this study.

Check out 50 top places for young, wealthy people to live.

Sixth Street music and entertainment district in downtown Austin, Texas, USA.

Key Findings

Cambridge, Massachusetts, ranked as the best city for the young and wealthy to live in. Just over 40% of the population are ages 25 to 44 and 63% of 25-44 households have income of $150,000 or more.
With Cambridge at No. 1, the remaining top 10 cities include Jersey City (New Jersey), Santa Clara (California), Hillsboro (Oregon), Boston, Sandy Springs (Georgia), Rochester (Minnesota), Austin (Texas), Seattle and Sunnyvale (California).
Texas had the most cities out of any state to rank in the top 50. These seven cities include Austin (#8), Richardson (#18), Denton (#19), Dallas (#28), Irving (#34). Odessa (#41) and Lewisville (#46).
No cities in Florida ranked within the top 50.

Keep reading to discover which 50 cities rank among the best for young, wealthy Americans.

Discover More: 20 Best Cities Where You Can Buy a House for Under $100K

Explore More: The Salary Needed To Afford America’s 50 Biggest Cities

Cambridge is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, and is a part of the Boston metropolitan area.

1. Cambridge, Massachusetts

% of population ages 25-44: 40.2%
% of all households with ages 25-44 making $150K+ income: 29.1%
% of 25-44 households with $150K+ income: 63.0%
Livability score: 86
Property crime rate: 23.9
Violent crime rate: 4.8

Find Out: The 30 Safest and Richest US Cities To Live in 2024

Jersey City, NJ USA - February 24 2021: The eight story Pier Apartment complex at Harborside in Jersey City has a view of the Lower Manhattan NYC skyline just across across the Hudson River.

2. Jersey City, New Jersey

% of population ages 25-44: 40.3%
% of all households with ages 25-44 making $150K+ income: 23.6%
% of 25-44 households with $150K+ income: 47.9%
Livability score: 82
Property crime rate: 14.4
Violent crime rate: 2.8

May 11, 2018 Santa Clara / CA / USA - Sunset view of the street and surrounding buildings near Levi's Stadium in south San Francisco bay area - Image.

3. Santa Clara, California

% of population ages 25-44: 39.9%
% of all households with ages 25-44 making $150K+ income: 23.8%
% of 25-44 households with $150K+ income: 61.7%
Livability score: 76
Property crime rate: 29.3
Violent crime rate: 2.1

Aerial shot of a street intersection in Hillsboro, Oregon.

4. Hillsboro, Oregon

% of population ages 25-44: 35.2%
% of all households with ages 25-44 making $150K+ income: 16.5%
% of 25-44 households with $150K+ income: 54.2%
Livability score: 88
Property crime rate: 25.0
Violent crime rate: 2.9

Boston Massachusetts Apartments Rent Prices Real Estate iStock

5. Boston

% of population ages 25-44: 36.3%
% of all households with ages 25-44 making $150K+ income: 21.0%
% of 25-44 households with $150K+ income: 55.7%
Livability score: 77
Property crime rate: 19.4
Violent crime rate: 6.3

6. Sandy Springs, Georgia

% of population ages 25-44: 39.0%
% of all households with ages 25-44 making $150K+ income: 22.6%
% of 25-44 households with $150K+ income: 47.5%
Livability score: 73
Property crime rate: 16.9
Violent crime rate: 1.5

Rochester, Minnesota, USA - June 11, 2017: Daytime view of the front entrance of the Gonda Building-Mayo Clinic in the heart of downtown.

7. Rochester, Minnesota

% of population ages 25-44: 31.8%
% of all households with ages 25-44 making $150K+ income: 10.3%
% of 25-44 households with $150K+ income: 37.0%
Livability score: 92
Property crime rate: 15.9
Violent crime rate: 1.6

Autumn Fall Colors transforms landscape over Suburb modern housing development Birds Eye View stock photo

8. Austin, Texas

% of population ages 25-44: 40.4%
% of all households with ages 25-44 making $150K+ income: 20.9%
% of 25-44 households with $150K+ income: 40.3%
Livability score: 83
Property crime rate: 33.1
Violent crime rate: 5.0

The skyline of Seattle, Washington, USA with the Space Needle observation tower on a sunny day.

9. Seattle

% of population ages 25-44: 41.7%
% of all households with ages 25-44 making $150K+ income: 24.2%
% of 25-44 households with $150K+ income: 58.7%
Livability score: 75
Property crime rate: 50.1
Violent crime rate: 7.8

October 29, 2018 Sunnyvale / CA / USA - Urban landscape with newly developed residential buildings in downtown Sunnyvale, south San Francisco bay area, California;.

10. Sunnyvale, California

% of population ages 25-44: 38.4%
% of all households with ages 25-44 making $150K+ income: 16.6%
% of 25-44 households with $150K+ income: 36.4%
Livability score: 82
Property crime rate: 19.2
Violent crime rate: 2.5

11. Richmond, Virginia

% of population ages 25-44: 35.5%
% of all households with ages 25-44 making $150K+ income: 17.2%
% of 25-44 households with $150K+ income: 41.7%
Livability score: 84
Property crime rate: 37.2
Violent crime rate: 3.6

Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA downtown skyline on the Grand River at dusk.

12. Grand Rapids, Michigan

% of population ages 25-44: 33.6%
% of all households with ages 25-44 making $150K+ income: 17.1%
% of 25-44 households with $150K+ income: 45.2%
Livability score: 83
Property crime rate: 30.4
Violent crime rate: 8.8

Quincy is the largest city in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States.

13. Quincy, Massachusetts

% of population ages 25-44: 35.7%
% of all households with ages 25-44 making $150K+ income: 15.6%
% of 25-44 households with $150K+ income: 32.7%
Livability score: 81
Property crime rate: 11.1
Violent crime rate: 3.4

Clarksville is a city in and the county seat of Montgomery County, Tennessee.

14. Clarksville, Tennessee

% of population ages 25-44: 34.2%
% of all households with ages 25-44 making $150K+ income: 14.3%
% of 25-44 households with $150K+ income: 35.1%
Livability score: 83
Property crime rate: 17.3
Violent crime rate: 4.7

An office highrise building (left) and a highrise residential building (right) in Alexandria’s Carlyle neighborhood, with dramatic clouds in the background.

15. Alexandria, Virginia

% of population ages 25-44: 39.2%
% of all households with ages 25-44 making $150K+ income: 12.7%
% of 25-44 households with $150K+ income: 38.5%
Livability score: 83
Property crime rate: 24.3
Violent crime rate: 2.3

16. Bellevue, Washington

% of population ages 25-44: 35.1%
% of all households with ages 25-44 making $150K+ income: 10.6%
% of 25-44 households with $150K+ income: 39.6%
Livability score: 87
Property crime rate: 34.4
Violent crime rate: 1.5

For You: Here’s the Cost of Living in Every State

Downtown Tempe, Arizona at dawn with bridges and Tempe Town Lake in the foreground.

17. Tempe, Arizona

% of population ages 25-44: 32.3%
% of all households with ages 25-44 making $150K+ income: 18.4%
% of 25-44 households with $150K+ income: 42.1%
Livability score: 78
Property crime rate: 35.7
Violent crime rate: 5.0

18. Richardson, Texas

% of population ages 25-44: 30.1%
% of all households with ages 25-44 making $150K+ income: 10.5%
% of 25-44 households with $150K+ income: 30.4%
Livability score: 84
Property crime rate: 20.2
Violent crime rate: 1.3

Recently restored Denton County Texas courthouse at North Texas town of Denton.

19. Denton, Texas

% of population ages 25-44: 30.4%
% of all households with ages 25-44 making $150K+ income: 11.9%
% of 25-44 households with $150K+ income: 27.9%
Livability score: 85
Property crime rate: 21.9
Violent crime rate: 2.5

20. Providence, Rhode Island

% of population ages 25-44: 31.0%
% of all households with ages 25-44 making $150K+ income: 11.5%
% of 25-44 households with $150K+ income: 31.0%
Livability score: 82
Property crime rate: 19.1
Violent crime rate: 3.1

Fargo, North Dakota, USA - June 12, 2017: Daytime view of the Fargo Theatre along Broadway N in the Downtown Historic District.

21. Fargo, North Dakota

% of population ages 25-44: 31.0%
% of all households with ages 25-44 making $150K+ income: 12.7%
% of 25-44 households with $150K+ income: 37.7%
Livability score: 84
Property crime rate: 38.8
Violent crime rate: 5.2

Fall view of private houses neighborhood with classic american middle class homes and colorful trees along a pond reflected in a water.

22. Madison, Wisconsin

% of population ages 25-44: 32.1%
% of all households with ages 25-44 making $150K+ income: 11.7%
% of 25-44 households with $150K+ income: 29.8%
Livability score: 82
Property crime rate: 23.3
Violent crime rate: 3.0

Aerial panorama of Stamford, Connecticut - Image.

23. Stamford, Connecticut

% of population ages 25-44: 31.5%
% of all households with ages 25-44 making $150K+ income: 13.5%
% of 25-44 households with $150K+ income: 36.7%
Livability score: 70
Property crime rate: 11.6
Violent crime rate: 1.7

Chicago cityscape looking out over the rush hour traffic commute of the highway in Illinois USA.

24. Chicago

% of population ages 25-44: 34.5%
% of all households with ages 25-44 making $150K+ income: 13.2%
% of 25-44 households with $150K+ income: 41.7%
Livability score: 78
Property crime rate: 34.3
Violent crime rate: 6.1

25. Spokane Valley, Washington

% of population ages 25-44: 30.5%
% of all households with ages 25-44 making $150K+ income: 10.3%
% of 25-44 households with $150K+ income: 32.0%
Livability score: 85
Property crime rate: 34.3
Violent crime rate: 3.0

A beautiful sunset in Columbus, Ohio with the Scioto Greenway and the Rich Street Bridge in the foreground.

26. Columbus, Ohio

% of population ages 25-44: 34.0%
% of all households with ages 25-44 making $150K+ income: 13.5%
% of 25-44 households with $150K+ income: 28.9%
Livability score: 81
Property crime rate: 27.0
Violent crime rate: 3.9

Check Out: 5 Cities Where Homes Will Be a Total Steal in 2 Years

Downtown Raleigh, North Carolina, USA Skyline Aerial.

27. Raleigh, North Carolina

% of population ages 25-44: 32.5%
% of all households with ages 25-44 making $150K+ income: 11.6%
% of 25-44 households with $150K+ income: 27.2%
Livability score: 84
Property crime rate: 25.9
Violent crime rate: 5.3

Skyline of downtown Dallas Texas USA with green park.

28. Dallas

% of population ages 25-44: 33.3%
% of all households with ages 25-44 making $150K+ income: 13.3%
% of 25-44 households with $150K+ income: 37.5%
Livability score: 81
Property crime rate: 40.3
Violent crime rate: 6.7

Fort Collins, Colorado, USA - February 2, 2013: People walking in the Old Town pedestrian zone of Fort Collins, Colorado at night.

29. Fort Collins, Colorado

% of population ages 25-44: 30.9%
% of all households with ages 25-44 making $150K+ income: 11.2%
% of 25-44 households with $150K+ income: 28.1%
Livability score: 81
Property crime rate: 24.4
Violent crime rate: 3.0

30. Atlanta

% of population ages 25-44: 35.9%
% of all households with ages 25-44 making $150K+ income: 15.6%
% of 25-44 households with $150K+ income: 37.4%
Livability score: 78
Property crime rate: 38.9
Violent crime rate: 7.1

San Diego, California, cityscape at the Gaslamp Quarter.

31. San Diego

% of population ages 25-44: 33.9%
% of all households with ages 25-44 making $150K+ income: 12.3%
% of 25-44 households with $150K+ income: 31.5%
Livability score: 75
Property crime rate: 18.1
Violent crime rate: 4.2

Learn More: 5 Housing Markets That Will Plummet in Value Before the End of 2025

32. New Haven, Connecticut

% of population ages 25-44: 33.3%
% of all households with ages 25-44 making $150K+ income: 12.9%
% of 25-44 households with $150K+ income: 36.6%
Livability score: 78
Property crime rate: 36.9
Violent crime rate: 5.4

Charleston, South Carolina, USA - November 23, 2016: Historic downtown Charleston at the busy intersection of Market and Meeting Streets.

33. Charleston, South Carolina

% of population ages 25-44: 33.1%
% of all households with ages 25-44 making $150K+ income: 12.1%
% of 25-44 households with $150K+ income: 28.7%
Livability score: 77
Property crime rate: 19.8
Violent crime rate: 4.0

Buildings in Las Colinas, Irving illuminated at night.

34. Irving, Texas

% of population ages 25-44: 33.3%
% of all households with ages 25-44 making $150K+ income: 11.3%
% of 25-44 households with $150K+ income: 29.4%
Livability score: 78
Property crime rate: 24.5
Violent crime rate: 3.0

Springtime Sunset over Downtown Minneapolis, St Anthony Falls and Mississippi River - Aerial Shot.

35. Minneapolis

% of population ages 25-44: 37.2%
% of all households with ages 25-44 making $150K+ income: 17.4%
% of 25-44 households with $150K+ income: 43.5%
Livability score: 78
Property crime rate: 52.5
Violent crime rate: 11.3

Westminster, MAY 5: Building with snow mountain as background on MAY 5, 2017 at Westminster, Colorado.

36. Westminster, Colorado

% of population ages 25-44: 33.3%
% of all households with ages 25-44 making $150K+ income: 12.8%
% of 25-44 households with $150K+ income: 40.1%
Livability score: 73
Property crime rate: 36.0
Violent crime rate: 3.3

Discover More: 10 Housing Markets Buyers Are Flocking To as Rates Drop

Durham, NC skyline with the Hill building on the left and Durham Centre on the right.

37. Durham, North Carolina

% of population ages 25-44: 33.8%
% of all households with ages 25-44 making $150K+ income: 12.8%
% of 25-44 households with $150K+ income: 30.6%
Livability score: 82
Property crime rate: 37.6
Violent crime rate: 6.4

Denver, Colorado, USA downtown cityscape in Civic Center park at dusk.

38. Denver

% of population ages 25-44: 40.5%
% of all households with ages 25-44 making $150K+ income: 21.4%
% of 25-44 households with $150K+ income: 44.5%
Livability score: 72
Property crime rate: 57.5
Violent crime rate: 10.2

Glimpse of city life with traffic on Walnut Street with office buildings in the background in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio, USA illuminated at twilight.

39. Cincinnati

% of population ages 25-44: 32.4%
% of all households with ages 25-44 making $150K+ income: 11.9%
% of 25-44 households with $150K+ income: 37.2%
Livability score: 80
Property crime rate: 42.3
Violent crime rate: 7.3

September 15,2023, Vancouver, Washington.

40. Vancouver, Washington

% of population ages 25-44: 30.0%
% of all households with ages 25-44 making $150K+ income: 10.2%
% of 25-44 households with $150K+ income: 34.5%
Livability score: 82
Property crime rate: 44.9
Violent crime rate: 6.5

Odessa is a city in and the county seat of Ector County, Texas, United States.

41. Odessa, Texas

% of population ages 25-44: 32.6%
% of all households with ages 25-44 making $150K+ income: 10.3%
% of 25-44 households with $150K+ income: 28.0%
Livability score: 74
Property crime rate: 17.8
Violent crime rate: 3.9

Explore More: 3 Best States to Buy Property in the Next 5 Years, According to Experts

Rooftop view of homes in Norfolk, Virginia

42. Norfolk, Virginia

% of population ages 25-44: 32.0%
% of all households with ages 25-44 making $150K+ income: 11.8%
% of 25-44 households with $150K+ income: 25.3%
Livability score: 81
Property crime rate: 38.2
Violent crime rate: 5.4

Waterfall near downtown Rochester, New York, USA.

43. Rochester, New York

% of population ages 25-44: 32.0%
% of all households with ages 25-44 making $150K+ income: 13.8%
% of 25-44 households with $150K+ income: 38.4%
Livability score: 76
Property crime rate: 50.5
Violent crime rate: 7.3

Reno, USA - May 31, 2016: Reno, known as The Biggest Little City in the World, is famous for it's casinos, and is the birthplace of the gaming corporation Harrah's Entertainment.

44. Reno, Nevada

% of population ages 25-44: 30.2%
% of all households with ages 25-44 making $150K+ income: 8.2%
% of 25-44 households with $150K+ income: 27.0%
Livability score: 81
Property crime rate: 26.4
Violent crime rate: 6.0

Salt Lake City skyline at sunset with Wasatch Mountains in the background, Utah, USA.

45. Salt Lake City, Utah

% of population ages 25-44: 34.2%
% of all households with ages 25-44 making $150K+ income: 16.3%
% of 25-44 households with $150K+ income: 40.1%
Livability score: 75
Property crime rate: 56.5
Violent crime rate: 8.7

Bluebonnet blossom near lake park in Lewisville, Texas, USA.

46. Lewisville, Texas

% of population ages 25-44: 34.0%
% of all households with ages 25-44 making $150K+ income: 11.8%
% of 25-44 households with $150K+ income: 32.9%
Livability score: 66
Property crime rate: 18.1
Violent crime rate: 2.3

Find Out: 3 Best Florida Cities To Buy Property in the Next 5 Years, According To Real Estate Agents

A view of autumn leaves at Coulon Park in Renton, Washington.

47. Renton, Washington

% of population ages 25-44: 34.1%
% of all households with ages 25-44 making $150K+ income: 10.6%
% of 25-44 households with $150K+ income: 24.8%
Livability score: 82
Property crime rate: 44.3
Violent crime rate: 4.1

The sun rises over the historical landmarks of West Sacramento, California.

48. Sacramento, California

% of population ages 25-44: 33.2%
% of all households with ages 25-44 making $150K+ income: 9.5%
% of 25-44 households with $150K+ income: 38.1%
Livability score: 73
Property crime rate: 28.9
Violent crime rate: 8.0

Des Moines, Iowa skyline from the state capital at sunset.

49. Des Moines, Iowa

% of population ages 25-44: 31.7%
% of all households with ages 25-44 making $150K+ income: 9.7%
% of 25-44 households with $150K+ income: 22.0%
Livability score: 83
Property crime rate: 33.5
Violent crime rate: 7.1

50. San Mateo, California

% of population ages 25-44: 31.2%
% of all households with ages 25-44 making $150K+ income: 7.4%
% of 25-44 households with $150K+ income: 20.6%
Livability score: 79
Property crime rate: 19.2
Violent crime rate: 3.5

Methodology: For this study, GOBankingRates analyzed cities across the United States to find the best places to live for the young and wealthy. First, GOBankingRates found the cities with the largest population of younger people by using the U.S. Census American Community Survey to find the cities with the largest population percentage of the ages 25 to 44. All the cities with a population percentage of at least 30% were kept for this study. For each location, GOBankingRates found total population, population ages 65 and over, total households, and household median income, all sourced from the American Community Survey. Using this data, the percentage of the population ages 65 and over was calculated. The cost-of-living indexes were sourced from Sperling’s BestPlaces and include the grocery, healthcare, housing, utilities, transportation and miscellaneous cost-of-living indexes. Using the indexes and the national average expenditure costs for people ages 25 to 44, as sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey, the average expenditure cost for each location was calculated. The livability index was sourced from AreaVibes for each location and included to determine the overall quality of life. The average single-family home value was sourced from Zillow Home Value Index for October 2024. Using the average home value, assuming a 10% down payment, and using the most recent national average 30-year fixed mortgage rate, as sourced from the Federal Reserve Economic Data, the average mortgage was calculated. Using the average mortgage and average expenditure costs, the average cost of living was calculated. The property crime and violent crime statistics were sourced from the FBI’s Crime Data Explorer. For this study, “wealthy” refers to being in the upper class income range, setting the minimum household income for the upper income range as $154,000. GOBankingRates used $150,000 for this study. The number of households where the householder is 25 to 44 and the household income is above $150,000 was recorded from the American Community Survey; using this data, the percentage of households where the householder is 25 to 44 and earning over $150,000 was calculated. The livability index was scored and weighted at 2.00, the percentage of households where the householder is 25 to 44 and earning over $150,000 when compared to other householders of the same status was scored and weighted at 2.00, the percentage of households where the householder is 25 to 44 and earning over $150,000 when compared to all other householders was scored and weighted at 2.00, the property crime rate was scored and weighted at 1.50, and the violent crime rate was scored and weighted at 1.50. All the scores were summed and sorted to show the best places to live for young and wealthy residents. All data was collected on and is up to date as of Dec. 4, 2024.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 50 Best Places for the Young and Wealthy To Live

The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Tags