How Much Would It Cost You to Move Into One of America’s Richest Suburbs?

Moving into one of America’s wealthiest suburbs can require far more than simply finding a high-paying job. A recent ranking based on 2024 American Community Survey data found that Scarsdale, New York, is the nation’s wealthiest suburb by average household income, with households earning an average of $612,591. West University Place, Texas, ranked second at $439,594, while Rye, New York, came in third at $428,806.

The ranking, compiled by personal finance site MoneyLion, examined the 50 most affluent suburbs based on average household income and included communities with at least 5,000 households that qualify as suburbs of larger cities. Eight of the 10 communities at the top of the list are located in California, New York or Texas, showing how heavily high-income suburban wealth is concentrated in a handful of states and metropolitan areas.

But income is only part of the equation. Housing costs can vary dramatically even among communities with similarly high household earnings, meaning a family considering a move needs to look at both the income needed to compete locally and the price of the home itself.

Home Prices Can Reach Into the Millions

Scarsdale may have the highest average household income on the list, but its average home value is considerably lower than some other wealthy suburbs, at about $1.7 million as of April 2026. West University Place also has an average home value of about $1.7 million, while Rye’s average reaches approximately $2.4 million.

Los Altos, California, presents an even steeper housing hurdle. The Silicon Valley suburb ranks fourth by average household income at $417,182, but its average home is worth about $4.8 million. Paradise Valley, Arizona, follows with an average household income of $408,500 and average home value of about $3.7 million, while University Park, Texas, has an average household income of $407,253 and average home value of $2.6 million.

The differences continue throughout the top 10. Alamo, California, has an average home value of $2.6 million, Orinda, California, averages about $2 million, McLean, Virginia, about $1.8 million, and Southlake, Texas, about $1.3 million. These figures illustrate why moving into an affluent suburb can require substantial savings and borrowing capacity even when a household’s income appears high.

The Wealthiest Communities Are Concentrated in a Few States

California, New York and Texas dominate the ranking, accounting for eight of the 10 wealthiest suburbs. The list includes communities surrounding major economic centers such as New York City, Houston, Dallas, San Francisco and San Jose, reflecting how high-paying industries and limited housing supply can combine to create exceptionally expensive suburban markets.

The ranking also includes communities with distinct characteristics. Some are near the water, while others are close to major universities or offer relatively convenient commutes to large cities. MoneyLion’s Rudri Patel told USA TODAY that better schools and limited housing supply are among the characteristics associated with affluent suburbs, although the high concentration of wealth can also bring concerns such as identity theft, wire fraud and other white-collar crime.

There is also an important statistical caveat. MoneyLion’s ranking uses average, or mean, household income, which can be pushed higher by households with extremely large incomes. Other rankings use median household income, which can produce a different picture of where America’s wealthiest communities are located. That means the income figures should be viewed as a measure of overall affluence rather than a guarantee that every household in these suburbs earns anywhere near the listed average.

A Multimillion-Dollar Home Is Not the Only Cost to Consider

The numbers make one thing clear: moving into one of America’s richest suburbs can require a substantial financial commitment. Depending on the community, the average home ranges from roughly $1.3 million in Southlake to $4.8 million in Los Altos, while average household incomes among the top 10 range from $376,741 in Orinda to $612,591 in Scarsdale.

A buyer also needs to account for expenses beyond the purchase price, including property taxes, homeowners insurance, maintenance, utilities and the cost of furnishing and maintaining a larger property. Higher-income communities can also have expensive local services and other everyday costs that make the true cost of living higher than the headline home value suggests.

For prospective buyers, the biggest lesson is that America’s wealthiest suburbs are not all equally expensive, and a high household income does not automatically make every community affordable. The ranking provides a snapshot of where high earners live, but anyone considering a move would need to compare local home prices, financing costs and recurring expenses against their own income, savings and long-term financial goals.