California’s diverse mix of small towns, suburbs, and cities is home to some of the wealthiest and poorest communities in the United States. While the high cost of living has forced many middle-class families to relocate outside of California, those who have stayed or returned to live here are generally wealthier than most Americans. In fact, 25 of the top 50 highest-income cities in the state are located in California.
The cities in California with the highest median household income are usually places where you might expect them to be: coastal communities, some of which are among the most exclusive real estate markets on the planet.
But what about the cities with high incomes that aren’t necessarily famous or expensive? Read on and take a closer look at the 13 wealthiest cities in California based on median household income.
13. La Habra Heights
Area: 5.96 sq. km.
Elevation: 738 ft.
Total Population: 5,551 (2021)
photo source: Architizer
La Habra Heights is a city in the San Gabriel Valley region of Los Angeles County, California. It is located about 30 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles. The city’s name comes from the Spanish word for “painter,” and it was once home to an oil painter named Juana Maria de Lara, who was married to a settler from Spain.
The city was incorporated in 1993 from a merger between the then-independent cities of La Habra Heights and El Segundo. In addition to being home to several large businesses and companies, La Habra Heights has a high concentration of schools (including two universities), parks and recreation areas, and shopping centers.
Did You Know?
Today, La Habra Heights is known for its hot springs, as well as its proximity to the Los Angeles Zoo, which is located within La Habra’s boundaries.
12. Foster City
Area: 51.37 sq. km.
Elevation: 7 ft.
Total Population: 34,453 (2022)
photo source: Travel Lens
Foster City is a city in San Mateo County, California, USA. It is located approximately 27 miles (43 km) south of San Francisco on the San Francisco Peninsula and is uniquely distinguished as the home of NASA’s Ames Research Center. Foster City is one of two cities in the San Francisco Bay Area named after Lewis Foster, who was a 19th-century governor of California. The other city is Livermore, California.
Foster City has traditionally been a working-class town with large immigrant populations from Mexico and Asia/Oceania. In recent years it has attracted many young professionals from across the country who want to live in a small-town atmosphere with access to hiking trails in nearby hills and beaches just minutes away by car or public transportation.
Did You Know?
Foster City is also known for its high concentration of technology companies and venture capital firms.
11. Cupertino
Area: 29.34 sq. km.
Elevation: 236 ft.
Total Population: 60,797 (2022)
photo source: FT Property Listings
Cupertino, California, is a city in Santa Clara County. Cupertino’s climate is Mediterranean, with cool winters and hot summers. It is located on a plateau with mountains nearby, which makes it windy most of the time. The annual average temperature is around 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 Celsius).
Cupertino boasts many parks and recreational areas where residents can enjoy hiking trails and picnic areas with views of local landmarks like Adobe Mountain or Mount Madonna Park.
The city also has many shopping centers where residents can find everything they need, from grocery stores to specialty shops selling jewelry or clothing designs created by local artists.
Did You Know?
Cupertino is known for its technology industry and being home to Apple Inc.
10. Westlake Village
Area: 14.26 sq. km.
Elevation: 880 ft.
Total Population: 7,981 (2022)
photo source: TripAdvisor
Westlake Village is a city located in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles County, California. It is considered one of the most beautiful and desirable suburbs of Los Angeles. It has many different neighborhoods that are home to people from all walks of life, including celebrities and industry leaders.
The population is primarily white, but there are also many minorities living in Westlake Village. Westlake Village has been called “the Beverly Hills of SoCal” because it has so many high-end homes and amenities. The city has a rich history that dates back to the 1920s when it was first founded as a farming community for farmers who worked on movie lots in Hollywood.
Did You Know?
Westlake Village is known for its mild climate, proximity to beaches and mountains, and as a haven for artists.
9. San Carlos
Area: 14.02 sq. km.
Elevation: 33 ft.
Total Population: 31,186 (2022)
photo source: Joyce & Tatum
San Carlos is a city in San Mateo County, California, United States. It is located along the San Francisco Peninsula, about 40 miles south of San Francisco. The population was 5,202 at the 2010 census. San Carlos is known for its Mediterranean climate and high quality of life, which includes great schools.
It has a wide variety of housing options for residents, including single-family homes and condos, as well as apartments and townhomes. The city has approximately 20 miles of trails that are used by cyclists, walkers, and joggers alike. San Carlos also has several parks where families can relax or get active together.
Did You Know?
San Carlos has a relatively low crime rate compared to many other wealthy cities in America.
8. Saratoga
Area: 33.10 sq. km.
Elevation: 423 ft.
Total Population: 31,275 (2022)
photo source: iStock
Saratoga is a city in the San Francisco Bay Area in California. It is located just south of San Jose and was named after the Saratoga Springs, New York area. The city is home to two universities and many technology companies, as well as several wineries and golf courses.
The city has many restaurants, cafes, bars, and shops that cater to its residents and visitors alike. The downtown area is filled with pedestrian-friendly streets that are lined with shops and restaurants. The main attraction of Saratoga is the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, a performing arts center that hosts many concerts and events each year.
The city also has a beautiful park, which is surrounded by trees and other vegetation.
Did You Know?
Saratoga has been a popular tourist destination for decades due to its proximity to San Francisco, which makes it an ideal base for travelers who want to explore both cities without having to drive all the way back home after a day spent sightseeing!
7. Palos Verdes Estates
Area: 12.36 sq. km.
Elevation: 210 ft.
Total Population: 13,329 (2022)
photo source: USA Today
Palos Verdes Estates is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. It is an affluent suburb on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. The city has also been ranked as one of the most beautiful suburbs in America by USA Today’s “Best Places To Live.” The city’s climate is Mediterranean, with mild temperatures throughout the year. The area receives an average of 45 inches (1,140 mm) of rain annually, which falls mostly during winter and spring.
In the early 1900s, the area was known as Palos Verdes Hills or just “The Hills.” In 1910, real estate developer Paul Revere Mallon built a group of houses on a hill east of Rancho Palos Verdes Road, where he had purchased land from William Wrigley Jr., owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team.
Did You Know?
It has been ranked as one of the safest and best-to-live-in communities in America by CNN Money Magazine.
6. Orinda
Area: 33.33 sq. km.
Elevation: 495 ft.
Total Population: 19,888 (2022)
photo source: Atlasa
Orinda is a city in the North Bay area of the San Francisco Bay Area. I and has a population of about 91,500 people. The city has a median household income of $85,000, and its median home value is $1.2 million. Orinda was founded in 1868 as a stop on the railroad line between Oakland and Berkeley. The town was named after Orinda, California, which was once part of Alameda County but is now part of Contra Costa County.
In 1868 when the railroad came through Orinda, there were only two buildings: a depot and a store owned by Isaac Leeser and Leeser’s brother-in-law John Henderson. These three men were instrumental in building the town up into what it is today—a good place to live with plenty to do and see!
Did You Know?
The city is also home to many rich and famous residents, such as Tom Cruise and Andre Agassi.
5. Piedmont
Area: 4.40 sq. km
Elevation: 331 ft.
Total Population: 11,390 (2022)
photo source: Wikimedia Commons
Piedmont, in the state of California, is a city located in Alameda County. It’s the second-largest city in the county. It’s also known for being home to some of the best restaurants in the area. Piedmont is also known for being one of the safest cities in America, with a crime rate that’s significantly lower than other parts of Oakland or San Francisco.
The city is also known for its many parks and recreation areas, which include Liberty Park, Horseshoe Lake Park, Crocker Lake Park, and Robert Louis Stevenson State Historic Park. There are also over 200 miles worth of trails throughout the city. The city is named after the Piedmont region of Italy, which was the home of an important piper to the court of Emperor Charles V.
Did You Know?
The city is known for its historic downtown district, which features many historic buildings from the mid-19th century and early 20th century.
4. Los Altos
Area: 16.94 sq. km.
Elevation: 157 ft.
Total Population: 32,155 (2022)
photo source: The Brasil Group
Los Altos, California, is a city located in the San Francisco Bay Area. The city’s name comes from the Spanish language word for “highlands.” The area was first settled by the Ohlone people in 1775, but it wasn’t until 1848 that Los Altos became incorporated as a town.
Los Altos was originally founded as a resort area and has grown into a residential community due to its scenic views, historic architecture, and proximity to Silicon Valley.
Los Altos is known for its high-end homes and luxury living spaces, as well as its many parks and green spaces. The city is home to several universities, including Santa Clara University and Stanford University. The city is home to several high-tech businesses, including Facebook and Apple.
Did You Know?
The city’s main attraction is its location; it sits at the foot of Mount Diablo and has a wide variety of parks and trails to explore.
3. Los Altos Hills
Area: 23.38 sq. km.
Elevation: 292 ft.
Total Population: 8,603 (2022)
photo source: The Business Journals
Los Altos Hills is a city in the San Francisco Bay Area. It is located near the cities of Palo Alto and San Jose. It was originally named after its geographical location on the high hills that overlook the San Antonio River Valley and San Francisco Bay. The area was first settled in 1853 when Alexander McClintock arrived from Tennessee with his family. The town officially became a city in 1928.
In addition to its wealth and size, Los Altos Hills is also known for its beautiful scenery, which includes rolling hills, oak trees, vineyards, and waterfalls. There are several hiking trails around town that allow visitors to experience this natural beauty close-up without having to leave their vehicles behind!
Did You Know?
Los Altos Hills is home to Google and LinkedIn, along with many other tech companies and startups.
2. Woodside
Area: 29.70 sq. km.
Elevation: 387 ft.
Total Population: 5,313 (2022)
photo source: Compass Real Estate
Woodside, California, is located in the San Francisco Bay Area. It is one of the wealthiest cities in the country, as it was built in the late 19th century by railroad magnate Henry E. Huntington. German farmhands first settled it in the mid-1800s.
In the 1920s and 1930s, it became known as “The City of Wood” because of its many trees. In the 1960s, a group of hippies moved into the area and began replanting trees that had been cut down during World War II.
It also has a wide variety of restaurants and shops that cater to its wealthy residents. There are also several residential neighborhoods, including Woodside Park, located near El Camino Real Shopping Center; the Elsinore Heights area; and Woodside Highlands, which is situated between Highway 101 and El Camino Real Shopping Center.
Did You Know?
The city is home to several famous attractions, including Coast Guard Station Point Reyes National Seashore and El Camino Real de Los Juniors State Historic Park.
1. Hillsborough
Area: 15.97 sq. km.
Elevation: 322 ft.
Total Population: 11,499 (2022)
photo source: Twitter
Considered to be the wealthiest city in California, Hillsborough is located in the San Joaquin Valley. The city is known for being one of the hottest spots in California, with an average temperature of 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18 degrees Celsius) throughout the year.
There are several parks in Hillsborough, including Lucky Lane Park, which was recently named one of America’s best parks by USA Today magazine. Hillsborough also has two major colleges: California State University East Bay and California State University Stanislaus.
Hillsborough is known for being home to the oldest baseball park in California, where locals still play today. The city also hosts an annual festival called “Hillsborough Days.”
Did You Know?
The city’s economy relies heavily on agriculture and tourism.
