This story originally appeared on Rocket Homes and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.
Which zip code in each state has the highest median income?
Affluent communities are spread across the U.S., and high earners often mean high-end real estate, growing industries, and investment in local amenities.
Rocket Homes examined Census Bureau data to find the highest-earning ZIP codes in each state based on 2021 median income. To be included in the list, each ZIP code had to have 500 or more residents. Income includes wages and salaries as well as earnings from interest, retirement income, and Social Security payments. It does not include capital gains, public housing subsidies, or money made from selling a home or property. The municipality in which the ZIP code is located is also included.
The average income among the 51 ZIP codes on the list was $85,995—well above the $69,021 median income nationwide. Many of the highest-earning ZIP codes were located on the more-expensive coasts, but the ZIP code that earned the most may surprise you.
Keep reading to see which ZIP codes in each state had the highest median income and learn more about what sets these communities apart.
Alabama: 36754
- City: Magnolia
- Median income: $71,282
Magnolia is an unincorporated community in rural west-central Alabama. The top industries in the area are paper packaging, food processing, and health care. Housing is relatively affordable, with a median home value of $89,500.
Alaska: 99734
- City: Prudhoe Bay
- Median income: $100,573
On the northern coast of Alaska where the Pan-American Highway ends, Prudhoe Bay is home to the highest earners in the state. The Prudhoe Bay oil field is a significant source of employment, and the median home value was $173,500. Tourists visit to see the Arctic Ocean and the midnight summer sun; the area gets constant daylight from May to July and constant darkness from November to January.
Arizona: 85253
- City: Paradise Valley
- Median income: $68,506
Paradise Valley is a suburb of Phoenix known for its golf courses, resorts, and restaurants. Outdoorsy types will enjoy the Desert Botanical Garden and Camelback Mountain. Rocket Homes reports the median price for houses sold in the area in the period from March 2022 to March 2023 was $3.15 million, which is up 18.1% from the previous 12-month period.
Arkansas: 72201
- City: Little Rock
- Median income: $62,814
Little Rock is the capital of Arkansas, located in the center of the state. Major employers include the government, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Baptist Health, and Little Rock Air Force Base. Rocket Homes reports $372,000 is the median list price for houses listed in March 2023, down 12.5% since the previous month.
California: 94105
- City: San Francisco
- Median income: $157,257
The San Francisco area is home to California's highest earners and the fourth-highest median income in the country. The largest employers in San Francisco include Salesforce, Wells Fargo, Sutter Health, and Uber. The real estate market is dominated by high-end condos, according to Rocket Homes, and the median list price for homes listed in the past 12 months is $1.45 million, up 45% compared to last year.
Colorado: 81615
- City: Snowmass Village
- Median income: $79,778
Snowmass Village, located near Aspen, is a paradise for skiers and snowboarders. The Snowmass ski resort is on one of four ski mountains in the area, which has been the catalyst for a boom of luxury homes and mansions. Tourism contributes to the local economy, with people drawn to skiing and snowboarding in the winters and golfing and mountain biking in the summers. The median home value in the area was $730,300.
Connecticut: 06870
- City: Old Greenwich
- Median income: $102,296
High earners in Old Greenwich can enjoy the beach and other coastal amenities of the affluent village while being less than 40 miles from Manhattan. The median sales price was $1.58 million for Old Greenwich houses sold in the last month, down 23% compared to last year. Some luxury waterfront estates are currently for sale.
Delaware: 19807
- City: Wilmington
- Median income: $67,783
Wilmington sits at the intersection of the Christina and Delaware rivers, about 30 miles from Philadelphia. The financial and legal sectors contribute to the area's high median income. Of homes sold in the last 12 months, the median sales price was $812,500, which is in line with a year ago.
Florida: 33109
- City: Miami Beach
- Median income: $83,594
Miami Beach draws high earners looking to capitalize on its nightlife, beaches, and upscale shopping. The area thrives off the tourism and hospitality industry, with multiple cruise lines and luxury hotel companies based there, in addition to American Airlines. Oceanview condos dominate the real estate market, and the median sales price of homes sold in the past 12 months was $6.25 million, up 45.3% from a year ago.
Georgia: 30326
- City: Atlanta
- Median income: $81,549
High earners in Atlanta may be connected to one of the Fortune 500 companies that call the city home, including Home Depot, UPS, Coca-Cola, and Delta Airlines—just a few of the area's prominent employers. The 30326 ZIP code, which sits northeast of Atlanta, saw a median sales price of $412,000 for homes sold in the past 12 months. Many of the current real estate listings consist of condos in luxury high rises.
Hawaii: 96825
- City: Honolulu
- Median income: $56,385
High earners in search of island living and a tropical climate flock to Honolulu, the capital of Hawaii. Tourism is a major driver of the local economy. Real estate is selling quickly in Honolulu, and the median sales price for homes sold in the past 12 months was $1.15 million, up 14.5% compared to a year ago.
Idaho: 83716
- City: Boise
- Median income: $49,519
Idaho's capital, Boise, is known for the greenbelt of trails and parks that runs along the Boise River through the center of the city. Food production and grocery store chains are significant employers in the area, including Albertsons, Fred Meyer, Winco Foods, J.R. Simplot Company, Costco, Amalgamated Sugar Company, Jackson Food Stores, and Walmart. The median list price for homes in Boise was $470,670.
Illinois: 60602
- City: Chicago
- Median income: $161,786
The 60602 ZIP code, located in a part of Chicago known as the Loop, claims the second-highest median income in the country. The Loop, bordered by Lake Michigan and the Chicago River, is home to many famous Chicago attractions, including Millennium Park, Grant Park, Willis Tower, and the Art Institute of Chicago, as well as numerous restaurants, theaters, and corporate offices. The median sales price for homes in that area was $429,000 in the past 12 months.
Indiana: 46077
- City: Zionsville
- Median income: $64,107
Located less than 20 miles northwest of Indianapolis, Zionsville offers high earners an extensive park system and a quaint downtown aimed at attracting tourists. The median price of homes sold in the past 12 months was $610,000. The real estate market is a mix of high-end farmhouses and suburban homes.
Iowa: 50323
- City: Urbandale
- Median income: $80,658
High earners in the Des Moines area have settled 10 miles west of the state's capital in Urbandale. Financial services, insurance, government, manufacturing, trade, and service sectors drive the area's economy, and top employers include the Wells Fargo headquarters, Hy-Vee grocery chain, and Principal investment management. The real estate market consists of single-family suburban homes, and the median sales price was $456,078 for houses sold in the past 12 months.
Kansas: 66206
- City: Leawood
- Median income: $76,505
Leawood sits along the Kansas-Missouri border and is one of the wealthiest suburbs of Kansas City. Leawood's major employers include AMC Theaters Support Center, Ascend Learning, the American Academy of Family Physicians, and the city. The current real estate market features high-end single-family homes.
Kentucky: 40059
- City: Prospect
- Median income: $67,679
Prospect is a Louisville suburb that sits along the Indiana border, marked by high-end subdivisions and golf courses. The largest area employers supporting the 40059 ZIP code's high earners are UPS, the public school system, Norton Healthcare, and two Ford Motor plants. The median home sales price was $639,950 for houses sold in the past 12 months.
Louisiana: 70743
- City: Hester
- Median income: $80,556
Hester is a small unincorporated community along the Mississippi River that many high earners call home. Hester is the hometown of New Orleans' fourth mayor, James Mather, who was the original owner of a sugar plantation that eventually became known as Hester Plantation.
Maine: 04107
- City: Cape Elizabeth
- Median income: $61,356
Located south of Portland on the Atlantic coast, Cape Elizabeth's historic Portland Head Light lighthouse is a quintessential Maine landmark. In Cape Elizabeth, the largest employer is the public school system, and the area's high earners tend to hold jobs in Portland. The median home value is $514,900.
Maryland: 20818
- City: Cabin John
- Median income: $109,583
Since Cabin John Bridge Hotel hosted Washington D.C.'s movers and shakers at the turn of the 20th century, Cabin John has been a landing place for high-earning D.C. workers. The median sales price was $922,450 for homes sold in the past 12 months, down 6.3% from last year. The current real estate market consists of well-appointed single-family homes.
Massachusetts: 02468
- City: Waban
- Median income: $142,159
High earners congregate in Waban, one of the villages inside Newton, a suburb of Boston. The area's top employment sectors are educational services; professional, scientific, and technical services; and health care and social assistance. The median sales price for homes in the 02468 ZIP code was $1.91 million over the past 12 months.
Michigan: 48009
- City: Birmingham
- Median income: $79,601
Birmingham is a Detroit suburb with an extensive downtown shopping district featuring more than 300 retailers. The area's leading industries are health care (Beaumont Health, Ascension Michigan, and Henry Ford Health System) and automotive manufacturing (Stellantis NV and General Motors). Homes in this ZIP code sold for a median price of $618,800 in the last 12 months, which is 3.1% more than a year ago.
Minnesota: 55424
- City: Minneapolis
- Median income: $84,864
Part of Minnesota's Twin Cities, Minneapolis is known for its Chain of Lakes, surrounded by trails and cultural attractions like the Walker Art Center and Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. Major employers boosting the median income include UnitedHealth Group, Target, Best Buy, and 3M—just a few Fortune 500 companies with headquarters in the area. The median home sales price was $960,000 for the last 12 months.
Mississippi: 39201
- City: Jackson
- Median income: $70,631
Civil rights history runs deep in Jackson, as chronicled by the Mississippi Freedom Trail that runs through the city. The most affluent ZIP code is on the east side of the city. The area's top employers are the University of Mississippi Medical Center, the public school system, and Nissan.
Missouri: 63073
- City: Saint Albans
- Median income: $96,897
Saint Albans is a small, unincorporated community with an upscale feel thanks to its private country club, golf courses, and historic inns and restaurants. The median list price for homes in this affluent ZIP code was $1.28 million in the last 12 months. The current real estate market features sprawling brick houses.
Montana: 59106
- City: Billings
- Median income: $48,475
High earners who want city amenities surrounded by the wide-open spaces of Montana settle in Billings, which sits along the Yellowstone River. The sectors with the highest employment numbers for the area are health care and social assistance, retail, and accommodation and food services. Boosting the ZIP code's median income, the highest-paying sectors are mining, quarrying, and natural gas extraction; utilities; finance and insurance; and manufacturing.
Nebraska: 68527
- City: Lincoln
- Median income: $60,741
Lincoln is the state capital and home to the University of Nebraska, so it's no surprise that the top employers driving up the median income are in the education and government sectors. The median sales price for homes in this ZIP code on Lincoln's northeast side was $519,679 for the last 12 months. New construction leads the current real estate market.
Nevada: 89411
- City: Genoa
- Median income: $74,209
Genoa is about a 20-mile drive from Lake Tahoe, a vacation destination known for luxury resorts, casinos, and outdoor activities like skiing, hiking, boating, and golfing. Tourism and hospitality industries, plus the casinos, are significant drivers of the local economy and contribute to the high median income. The median home value in the county that Genoa is part of is $445,800.
New Hampshire: 03854
- City: New Castle
- Median income: $85,660
New Castle is a small town located on a set of islands off New Hampshire's Atlantic coast. The historic Hotel Wentworth, built in 1874 and now called Wentworth by the Sea, helped transform New Castle from a fishing village to a destination for the more affluent. It's hard to find a home without waterfront access in New Castle.
New Jersey: 07311
- City: Jersey City
- Median income: $158,491
Jersey City, which sits across the Hudson River from New York City, has the third-highest median income in the country. The 07311 ZIP code is part of the Powerhouse Arts District, which transitioned from a warehouse and industrial district to a haven for artists that has seen rapid growth and new construction in recent years. Housing in this area is less costly than in New York City, which may explain why high earners looking to get the most real estate for their money have settled here.
New Mexico: 87544
- City: Los Alamos
- Median income: $72,780
Los Alamos is home to the Los Alamos National Laboratory, where the Manhattan Project developed the atomic bomb during World War II. The laboratory remains a major employer in the area, drawing highly educated and high-earning professionals to the town that sprawls across four flat-top mesas separated by canyons. The median sales price for homes in the area was $487,033 in the last 12 months.
New York: 10282
- City: New York
- Median income: $154,712
The Big Apple claims the ZIP code with the fifth-highest median income in the country, located in Lower Manhattan along the Hudson River. The area is home to the financial district and the New York Stock Exchange. In March, homes in that area sold for a median price of $2.66 million, and the real estate market features upscale condos with views of the harbor and Manhattan skyline.
North Carolina: 28207
- City: Charlotte
- Median income: $84,476
North Carolina's highest-earning ZIP code is located in the center of Charlotte, a commercial hub for the state. The largest local industries are health care (Atrium Health and Novant Health), finance (Wells Fargo and Bank of America), and retail (Walmart). The median sales price for homes in the 28207 ZIP code was $995,000 for the last 12 months, and stately southern manors lead the real estate market.
North Dakota: 58835
- City: Arnegard
- Median income: $64,194
Arnegard is a small city in western North Dakota. The industries that pay the top wages to support the area's high earners are mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction; construction; transportation and warehousing; and government. The median home value in the county where this ZIP code is located was $309,400.
Ohio: 45174
- City: Terrace Park
- Median income: $80,083
Terrace Park is a wealthy suburb that sits northeast of Cincinnati. High earners may commute to Cincinnati, where the largest employers are Kroger, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Trihealth, and the University of Cincinnati. Houses in Terrace Park sold for a median price of $651,500 in the last 12 months.
Oklahoma: 73025
- City: Edmond
- Median income: $60,560
Edmond sits in the center of the state, about 15 miles north of Oklahoma City. The area's major employers include the public school system, the University of Central Oklahoma, and the city. The median sales price for houses sold in the past 12 months was $455,000.
Oregon: 97229
- City: Portland
- Median income: $63,334
The highest-earning ZIP code in Oregon sits in northwest Portland, near the 5,200-acre Forest Park, which offers more than 80 miles of trails. The top industries in Portland supporting the area's high median income are health sciences (Providence Health and Services, Oregon Health and Science University, Legacy Health, and Kaiser Permanente) and retail, including the Fred Meyer Stores headquarters. The median sales price for homes in the ZIP code was $775,598 in the past 12 months. A contemporary mansion is for sale overlooking Forest Park.
Pennsylvania: 19035
- City: Gladwyne
- Median income: $129,732
Gladwyne is an affluent suburb about 12 miles from Philadelphia. Gladwyne includes sizable nature preserves and typical hallmarks of wealth like a country club, cricket club, private tennis club, and elite private schools. The median price of houses sold in the area was $1.4 million in the last 12 months. Grand houses lead the current real estate market.
Rhode Island: 02831
- City: Hope
- Median income: $62,832
This high-earning area adjoins John L. Curran State Park, near the large Scituate Reservoir. Housing is relatively affordable in this rural area, as the median home value is $329,400.
South Carolina: 29915
- City: Daufuskie Island
- Median income: $78,188
Daufuskie Island is truly an island—accessible only by boat—that sits on the Atlantic Coast, between Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, and Savannah, Georgia. The island has a rich Gullah history and is home to private communities, resorts, and nature preserves. Oyster harvesting has long been an important industry on Daufuskie Island, and the largest industry in the broader area is accommodations and food services.
South Dakota: 57038
- City: Jefferson
- Median income: $55,984
Jefferson is a small town in the southeastern corner of South Dakota, named after President Thomas Jefferson. This high-earning ZIP code is about 12 miles from Sioux City, Iowa, where the largest employers are Tyson Foods, the local school system, Seaboard Triumph Foods, and Bomgaars farm supply stores. The median home value was $221,300 in the county where Jefferson is located.
Tennessee: 37201
- City: Nashville
- Median income: $81,776
Known as Music City, Nashville is considered the home of country music and bluegrass, with thriving R&B, pop, and rock scenes. The affluent 37201 ZIP code is located downtown, along the Cumberland River, and near the state capitol building. The median sales price for homes in that area was $665,000 in the past 12 months. Riverfront condos and high-end apartments dominate the real estate market.
Texas: 77010
- City: Houston
- Median income: $170,650
The 77010 ZIP code in Houston boasts the highest median income in the country. The affluent area is located in downtown Houston, near the George R. Brown Convention Center, scenic Discovery Green Park, the Toyota Center basketball arena where the Rockets play, and the Minute Maid Park baseball stadium that is the home of the Astros. The industries that employ the most people in Houston are professional and business services, government, and health care and social assistance. The median list price was $514,900 for homes that hit the market in the highest-earning ZIP code in March.
Utah: 84310
- City: Eden
- Median income: $57,207
Eden is home to the largest ski resort in North America—Powder Mountain—and borders Pineview Reservoir in Ogden Valley. Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy the small town, which features luxury chalets for sale. The largest employers in the area are the Treasury Department, the local school district, and Intermountain Health Care.
Vermont: 05477
- City: Richmond
- Median income: $58,200
High earners who call Richmond home can enjoy the natural beauty of Huntington Gorge waterfall, Cochran's Ski Area, and the Winooski River. The median home value in the area was $357,800.
Virginia: 22101
- City: McLean
- Median income: $102,394
High-ranking government officials, members of the military, and diplomats drive up the median income in McLean, which is about 10 miles from Washington D.C. and Arlington. High earners can shop luxury stores at the nearby Tysons Galleria. The median sale price for homes in this ZIP code was $1.45 million for the last 12 months. The current real estate market features a range of modern and traditional mansions.
Washington: 98039
- City: Medina
- Median income: $110,197
Recognized as a Tree City USA for its urban forest, Medina sits on a peninsula across Lake Washington from Seattle. High earners in tech—including Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos—have homes in Medina. The median sales price for houses in this affluent ZIP code was $5.36 million in the last 12 months. Luxury houses for sale offer views of Lake Washington and the Seattle skyline.
Washington DC: 20004
- City: Washington
- Median income: $111,332
The highest-earning ZIP code in Washington D.C. is located east of the White House in the Penn Quarter neighborhood known for its variety of restaurants, bars, music venues, and shopping complexes. The current real estate market offers high-end condos. Universities and health care are among the top industries in D.C.
West Virginia: 26293
- City: Valley Bend
- Median income: $71,464
Many of West Virginia's high earners settled in the small town of Valley Bend. The largest employers in the area are Davis Health System, the local school system, Armstrong Hardwood Flooring Company, and Walmart. Housing is relatively affordable, as the median home value was $116,100.
Wisconsin: 53203
- City: Milwaukee
- Median income: $60,190
Wisconsin's highest-earning ZIP code is located in the Westdown district of downtown Milwaukee, a city known for beer and baseball. The area includes the Bradley Center basketball arena, Milwaukee Public Museum, music venues, restaurants, bars, and shopping centers. Despite the prime location, housing is relatively affordable, with homes selling in the last 12 months for a median price of $245,000.
Wyoming: 82732
- City: Wright
- Median income: $70,179
The natural resources and mining industry drives up incomes in Wright as one of the largest sources of employment and highest paying. The Black Thunder Coal Mine, located near Wright, is one of the most productive coal mines in the U.S.; however, the mine is slated for closure. The median home value was $230,400 in the county where Wright is located.