Where Are America's Richest Towns Located? 2025 Rankings Reveal Surprising Shifts

When it comes to identifying the wealthiest suburbs across the United States, the picture has shifted noticeably in 2025. A comprehensive analysis by GOBankingRates’ research team examined qualifying metropolitan areas with over 5,000 households to pinpoint the top 50 most affluent communities—and the results challenge many assumptions about wealth distribution.

Scarsdale Maintains Its Crown as the Richest Town in America

For the second consecutive year, Scarsdale, New York has secured the top position as the nation’s wealthiest suburb. With an inflation-adjusted average household income of $601,193 in 2023 (up from $588,014 in 2022), this New York City suburb demonstrates remarkable income stability. Home values here averaged $1,207,528 in May 2025, reflecting a modest 3.2% appreciation from the previous year.

What makes Scarsdale’s position noteworthy isn’t just raw income figures—it’s the consistency. The suburb’s 2.2% year-over-year income growth suggests a community where wealth compounds steadily rather than volatile.

The Geographic Concentration of Affluence

California Dominates with 17 of the Top 50 Wealthiest Suburbs

California’s presence in the rankings expanded significantly, now claiming 17 positions compared to 16 last year. Within California’s wealthy suburb ecosystem, Los Altos leads with an average household income of $403,512 and the highest home values at $4,562,702 in May 2025—a striking 6.1% year-over-year gain.

Following closely are Alamo ($403,334 household income), Orinda ($369,073), Palos Verdes Estates ($367,178), and Saratoga ($344,319). What’s particularly interesting is that Alamo, this year’s surprise entrant, didn’t even rank in the top 50 in 2024, suggesting demographic and economic shifts in the Bay Area suburbs.

Texas Emerges as a Secondary Powerhouse

Five Texas communities made the top 50, with three claiming spots in the elite top 10. West University Place (Houston area) ranks third nationally with $409,677 in average household income. University Park and Southlake follow at sixth and seventh positions respectively.

Notably, Southlake’s jump from #13 in 2024 to #7 in 2025 represents one of the most dramatic improvements. With average household income reaching $382,520 and home values climbing 2.6% to $1,290,325, Southlake exemplifies the economic momentum in Texas metros.

Houston’s Bellaire and Fort Worth’s Colleyville round out Texas’s representation at positions 23 and 47, each representing distinct market segments within the state’s affluent suburbs category.

New England and Mid-Atlantic Strongholds

Rye, New York emerges as the second wealthiest suburb nationally, with household income of $421,259—yet its home values ($1,875,248) are nearly 56% higher than Scarsdale’s despite lower incomes. This disparity highlights regional real estate market dynamics.

The Boston area contributes Wellesley (#10), Lexington (#32), Winchester (#35), Needham (#43), and Newton (#49) to the wealthiest suburbs list. Massachusetts communities show moderate income growth but relatively stable valuations compared to their California counterparts.

The Washington, D.C. metropolitan region secures four positions: McLean, Virginia (#12), Wolf Trap, Virginia (#20), Potomac, Maryland (#27), and Bethesda, Maryland (#38), reflecting the influence of federal employment and government-adjacent sectors on regional wealth.

The Newcomers Reshaping the Rankings

Six communities newly entered the top 50 in 2025:

Alamo, California debuted at #5, surprising analysts who overlooked this Oakland suburb in 2024. With household income of $403,334 and home values at $2,550,706, Alamo represents an emerging wealth center in the East Bay.

Coto de Caza, California (#22) entered the rankings with a household income of $312,324 and impressive 6.7% home value appreciation.

Lake Butler, Florida (#40) represents the newcomer with the lowest-tier entry, with household income of $289,593 and notably affordable home values at $283,493—the most budget-friendly among the top 50.

Colleyville, Texas (#47), Newton, Massachusetts (#49), and Brentwood, Tennessee (#50) complete the newcomer cohort, each bringing distinct regional economic profiles.

Income Growth Patterns and Market Dynamics

The Income Reality Check

While Scarsdale leads in absolute income, several suburbs show more dynamic growth trajectories. San Carlos, California registered the strongest income growth at 8.7% year-over-year, climbing from $308,400 to $335,300. Mountain Brook, Alabama followed with 9.5% growth—though from a lower base of $276,298 in 2022.

Conversely, some established wealthy suburbs faced income headwinds. Hinsdale, Illinois saw a -4.3% decline, and Orinda and Wellesley both dropped approximately 3.5%, potentially reflecting shifting employment patterns or demographic transitions.

Home Value Appreciation Landscape

Home value trends diverged sharply from income patterns. Los Altos’ 6.1% appreciation and Saratoga’s 6% growth led California’s markets. In the Northeast, McLean, Virginia (+6.6%) and Lake Forest, Illinois (+6.1%) showed strong momentum.

However, several wealthiest suburbs experienced depreciation. Orinda (-1.3%), Alamo (-1.8%), Lafayette (-1.8%), and notably Palm Beach (-2.3%) saw home values decline despite their elite status. Palm Beach’s -2.3% contraction is particularly noteworthy given its stature—from $10,556,860 to $10,310,928.

Florida’s Wealth Centers

The Sunshine State positioned three communities in the top 50: Palm Beach (#13), Pinecrest (#21), and the newly ranked Lake Butler (#40). Interestingly, Palm Beach’s -5.8% income decline coincided with its home value depreciation, suggesting potential economic restructuring within South Florida’s wealthiest enclave.

Pinecrest maintained relatively stable metrics with household income of $312,591, while Lake Butler’s entry signals emerging wealth concentration in the Orlando metropolitan area.

The Volatility Factor: Extreme Year-Over-Year Changes

Dix Hills, New York registered the most dramatic home value appreciation at 13.3%, jumping from $977,324 to $1,107,409. Ridgewood, New Jersey followed with 7.7% appreciation, while Wilmette, Illinois achieved 6.8% growth.

On the depreciation side, Moraga, California declined -3.7%, and Manhattan Beach, California (despite its prestige) essentially flat-lined at -0.04%, revealing unexpected market softness in traditionally premium coastal communities.

What These Rankings Reveal About American Wealth

The 2025 wealthiest suburbs rankings underscore several broader economic trends: California’s sustained demographic and economic draw maintains its outsized representation, though home prices have decoupled dramatically from income levels. Texas communities show accelerating wealth accumulation, particularly in Houston and Dallas suburbs. Traditional wealth centers in the Northeast demonstrate stability rather than explosive growth.

Intriguingly, the emergence of newcomers like Lake Butler and Brentwood suggests wealth is gradually dispersing beyond traditional coastal concentrations toward secondary metros, potentially reflecting remote work flexibility and cost-of-living considerations in relocation decisions.

For those seeking to identify the richest town in the US or understand American wealth geography, the data suggests looking beyond iconic names to emerging wealth centers, where income growth rates and home value trajectories reveal the future direction of American affluence.