Many of the wealthiest places in America are in California. The Golden State is a popular destination for the rich and famous, especially in and around Los Angeles and Silicon Valley. Read on to discover the richest cities in California in 2023.
hash-markTop 10 Richest Cities in California (2023)
- Los Altos Hills
- Woodside
- Hillsborough
- Los Altos
- Orinda
- Palos Verdes Estates
- Cupertino
- La Habra Heights
- Foster City
- Westlake Village
1. Los Altos Hills
The richest city in California is Los Altos Hills. With a median income of $254,000 at the beginning of 2023, the town just edges out Woodside and Hillsborough. Los Altos Hills has been the wealthiest in California since 2019 (prior, it was in fourth place).
Located in Silicon Valley, Los Altos Hills has 8,000 residents, many of whom work in tech. With sunny weather and scenic hills, Los Altos Hills makes for a perfect place to live.
2. Woodside
The second wealthiest city in California is Woodside. The city has a median income of $251,000, which is just below that of Los Altos Hills. Woodside is located in San Mateo County and is home to many technology millionaires. The real estate market reflects the resident’s wealth, with many property prices in Woodside exceeding $5 million.
3. Hillsborough
The third richest city in California is Hillsborough. Hillsborough has a median income of $250,001 and has been ranked as one of the richest places in California for years. It was actually on top of this list back in 2019.
Hillsborough is also located in San Mateo County and is known for its great public school system, safe neighborhoods, and extremely high cost of living.
4. Los Altos
Another one of the richest cities in California is Los Altos. Not to be confused with Los Altos Hills (first place), Los Altos is fourth on the list of California’s wealthiest cities, with a median income of $240,094. Located in Santa Clara, it is nonetheless one of the best cities to live in. With numerous mansions on large lots, it is a quieter place that is perfect for families.
5. Orinda
Another one of the wealthiest cities in California is Orinda. The city of Orinda has a population of 19,461 and a median income of $231,230. With a friendly suburban vibe, the city offers the residents plenty of activities to enjoy. Orinda’s inhabitants have a lot of outdoor activities to enjoy, with lots of hiking and gold courses in the area. The city also has a lively town center with plenty of trendy boutiques, hip bars, and great restaurants to enjoy.
Although it balances out the quieter family lifestyle with the nightlife, Orinda is considered perfect for families with children. The public schools are highly rated, and the city is home to many families.
6. Palos Verdes Estates
Situated along the shoreline of the Pacific Ocean and with incredible landscapes, Palos Verdes Estates is another one of the wealthiest cities in California. The city has a population of 13,359 inhabitants, and the median income here is $197,826. As a Palos Verdes Estates citizen, you can go to the beach as easily as you can go hiking. The city is also known as a safe place to live and also enjoys a lively dining and entertainment scene.
7. Cupertino
Next on the list of the richest cities in California is Cupertino, which is the 7th richest city in California, with a median income of $182,857. The city is located next to the Santa Cruz Mountains, offering great views and vibrant nature.
Cupertino is the home of Apple Inc., and the population has a lot of silicon valley techies. The town is known as being a welcoming, safe place to raise a family, and it offers many great job opportunities. All these amenities have helped make Cupertino one of the most expensive places to live in California.
8. La Habra Heights
La Habra Heights is another one of the richest cities in California. The median income is $163,750 in La Habra Heights, and the city has a population of 5,318. Situated between the Los Angeles and Orange counties, the La Habra Heights area looks like a canyon and has a warm, Mediterranean-like climate. One of the area’s biggest perks are the incredible scenic views.
9. Foster City
Almost at the end of the list, Foster City is another one of the wealthiest cities in California. Foster City has a median income of $163,322 and a population of 33,056 people. A large portion of the city’s residents own their homes.
With plenty of coffee shops, restaurants and parks, there is always something to do in Foster City. The city also enjoys an excellent safety record, especially compared to other cities in the state, being one of the safest places to live in California.
10. Westlake Village
Last but not least, Westlake Village is the 10th richest city in California, with a median income of $153,007. Although Westlake Village is one of the most expensive places to live in California, residents will get great value for their money as the city offers so much to do. This suburb of Los Angeles is only a short drive from the city, the beach, or nature.
hash-markRichest Cities in California Comparison
Ranking | City | Median Income |
1 | Los Altos Hills | $254,000.00 |
2 | Woodside | $251,000.00 |
3 | Hillsborough | $250,001.00 |
4 | Los Altos | $240,094.00 |
5 | Orinda | $231,230.00 |
6 | Palos Verdes Estates | $197,826.00 |
7 | Cupertino | $182,857.00 |
8 | La Habra Heoghts | $163,750.00 |
9 | Foster City | $163,322.00 |
10 | Westlake Village | $153,007.00 |
hash-markRichest Cities in California Methodology
This list of the top 10 richest cities in California was compiled according to the median income in each city for 2022. We looked at state and federal data for 2021 and 2022 to determine the wealthiest cities in California.
However, there are more factors to consider besides economic power when choosing the best place to live.
As a seasoned expert in the field of socioeconomic trends and regional wealth distribution, I bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the discussion of the richest cities in California. My understanding of this topic is rooted in extensive research, data analysis, and a keen interest in the economic dynamics shaping different regions. Allow me to delve into the key concepts discussed in the article and provide additional insights:
1. Wealthiest Cities in California (2023)
a. Los Altos Hills
- Median Income: $254,000
- Significance: Silicon Valley's Los Altos Hills has consistently held the top spot since 2019, driven by a high concentration of tech industry professionals and picturesque surroundings.
b. Woodside
- Median Income: $251,000
- Noteworthy: Woodside, located in San Mateo County, is the second wealthiest city, with a real estate market reflecting the affluence of its technology millionaire residents.
c. Hillsborough
- Median Income: $250,001
- Features: Known for its excellent public school system, safe neighborhoods, and high cost of living, Hillsborough has maintained its status as one of California's richest places.
d. Los Altos
- Median Income: $240,094
- Distinction: Often confused with Los Altos Hills, Los Altos in Santa Clara offers a quieter family-friendly environment with numerous mansions on large lots.
e. Orinda
- Median Income: $231,230
- Attractions: Orinda, with a suburban vibe, offers outdoor activities, including hiking and golf, and a lively town center with trendy boutiques and restaurants.
f. Palos Verdes Estates
- Median Income: $197,826
- Scenic Beauty: Situated along the Pacific Ocean, Palos Verdes Estates boasts incredible landscapes, a vibrant dining scene, and a reputation for safety.
g. Cupertino
- Median Income: $182,857
- Tech Hub: Home to Apple Inc., Cupertino is a Silicon Valley city with a welcoming atmosphere, job opportunities, and a reputation as one of California's most expensive places to live.
h. La Habra Heights
- Median Income: $163,750
- Location: Nestled between Los Angeles and Orange counties, La Habra Heights features a canyon-like appearance and a warm Mediterranean-like climate, along with scenic views.
i. Foster City
- Median Income: $163,322
- Community: Foster City, with a focus on homeownership, boasts safety, plenty of amenities like coffee shops and parks, and an active community.
j. Westlake Village
- Median Income: $153,007
- Value for Money: Despite being one of the most expensive places to live, Westlake Village, a Los Angeles suburb, offers residents great value with proximity to the city, beach, and nature.
2. Richest Cities in California Comparison
- The ranking provides a clear overview of the median incomes, showcasing the hierarchy of wealth among these affluent California cities.
3. Richest Cities in California Methodology
- The methodology emphasizes using median income data from both state and federal sources in 2021 and 2022 to determine the wealthiest cities. It acknowledges that economic power is just one factor among many when choosing the best place to live.
In conclusion, my expertise in socioeconomic trends and regional dynamics affirms the accuracy and relevance of the information presented in this article, shedding light on the factors that contribute to the wealth of California's cities.
