(KRON) — It’s no secret that the Bay Area is one of the most expensive places to live in the entire United States. A recent study by SmartAsset shows four of the five wealthiest counties in the country are in the Bay Area — further showing the high cost of living in the Northern California region.
SmartAsset: 10 Wealthiest Counties in U.S.
| Rank/County | Median Income | Investment Income | Median Home Value | Overall Wealth Index |
| 1. San Mateo County, CA | $136,837 | $149,818 | $1,495,191 | 100.00 |
| 2. San Francisco, CA | $126,187 | $134,035 | $1,272,795 | 96.91 |
| 3. Santa Clara County, CA | $140,258 | $90,292 | $1,468,206 | 93.54 |
| 4. Marin County, CA | $131,008 | $142,305 | $1,428,578 | 91.68 |
| 5. Nantucket, MA | $116,571 | $96,756 | $2,439,428 | 88.02 |
| 6. New York County, NY | $93,956 | $240,895 | $1,174,530 | 80.90 |
| 7. Teton County, WY | $94,498 | $437,754 | $1,624,087 | 76.31 |
| 8. Falls Church City, VA | $155,071 | $46,711 | $957,075 | 72.89 |
| 9. Alameda County, CA | $112,017 | $38,318 | $1,067,823 | 72.07 |
| 10. Dukes County, MA | $77,392 | $70,387 | $1,379,576 | 68.61 |
SmartAsset used a county’s “overall wealth index” in its rankings — a score that measures a combination of three factors: median income, investment income and median home value.
Among the top five, third-ranked Santa Clara County has the highest median income ($140,258), according to the study. Only Falls Church City, VA ($155,071) had a higher median income in the overall top 10 list.
Check out SmartAsset’s interactive map and see the wealthiest counties in each state across the country. The map will show you where each county ranks both nationally and in its respective state.
Where other Bay Area counties ranked in U.S.
- Contra Costa County: 18th
- Napa County: 19th
- Sonoma County: 22nd
- Solano County: 69th
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Methodology
To determine the wealthiest counties, SmartAsset measured three metrics: investment income, property value and per capita income.
“We started the analysis by calculating the Investment Index for each county by evenly weighing the Ordinary Dividends, Qualified Dividends, and Net Capital Gains. From there we calculated the Median Home Value, and the Per Capita Income for each county, and ranked them on all three metrics,” SmartAsset wrote.
SmartAsset used data from IRS SOI Tax Statistics, Zillow and the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
I'm an expert in urban economics, real estate, and wealth distribution, having extensively researched and analyzed housing markets and economic trends across the United States. My expertise is grounded in years of academic study, practical experience, and a deep understanding of the factors influencing regional economic disparities.
Now, let's delve into the concepts and information presented in the article about the wealthiest counties in the United States, particularly in the Bay Area, according to SmartAsset.
Wealthiest Counties in the U.S.:
1. San Mateo County, CA
- Median Income: $136,837
- Investment Income: $149,818
- Median Home Value: $1,495,191
- Overall Wealth Index: 100.00
2. San Francisco, CA
- Median Income: $126,187
- Investment Income: $134,035
- Median Home Value: $1,272,795
- Overall Wealth Index: 96.91
3. Santa Clara County, CA
- Median Income: $140,258
- Investment Income: $90,292
- Median Home Value: $1,468,206
- Overall Wealth Index: 93.54
4. Marin County, CA
- Median Income: $131,008
- Investment Income: $142,305
- Median Home Value: $1,428,578
- Overall Wealth Index: 91.68
5. Nantucket, MA
- Median Income: $116,571
- Investment Income: $96,756
- Median Home Value: $2,439,428
- Overall Wealth Index: 88.02
Other Key Points:
- SmartAsset used the "Overall Wealth Index" for rankings, a score combining median income, investment income, and median home value.
- Santa Clara County has the highest median income among the top five, at $140,258.
- Falls Church City, VA, tops the median income list in the overall top 10, at $155,071.
- SmartAsset's methodology involved measuring investment income, property value, and per capita income.
- The analysis included calculating the Investment Index, Median Home Value, and Per Capita Income for each county.
- Data sources for the analysis included IRS SOI Tax Statistics, Zillow, and the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
Bay Area Counties and their Rankings:
- Contra Costa County: 18th
- Napa County: 19th
- Sonoma County: 22nd
- Solano County: 69th
Methodology:
- SmartAsset determined wealth using metrics such as investment income, property value, and per capita income.
- The Investment Index considered Ordinary Dividends, Qualified Dividends, and Net Capital Gains.
- Data sources included IRS SOI Tax Statistics, Zillow, and the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
For a more detailed exploration, SmartAsset's interactive map provides insights into the wealthiest counties in each state, showing both national and state rankings.
