From tech hubs in Silicon Valley to scenic coastal towns, let's examine what makes these cities the wealthiest in California.
11 Richest Cities in California (2024)
- Atherton
- Los Altos Hills
- Woodside
- Hillsborough
- Los Altos
- Orinda
- Palos Verdes Estates
- Cupertino
- Foster City
- La Habra Heights
- Westlake Village
1. Atherton
The richest city in California is Atherton, with a median household income of $534,000. Atherton is also the richest city in the US. The median home price in Atherton in 2023 was $7.25 Million, making it the most expensive place to buy a house in California. Atherton is located in San Mateo County, next to Stanford's campus and Palo Alto, where Apple is headquartered. It's also only a 30-minute drive from San Francisco.
Some famous residents of Atherton include Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry and venture capitalist Marc Andreessen.
2. Los Altos Hills
Los Altos Hills is another one of the wealthiest cities in California. With a median income of $417,500 as of 2023, the town is one of the most affluent in the country. Los Altos Hills was the wealthiest in California in 2019 but lost its crown to Atherton in recent years. With a median home price of $5.3 Million, Los Altos Hills is one of the most expensive cities in California to buy a home.
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 is a perfect place to live.
3. Woodside
The third wealthiest city in California is Woodside. The city has a median income of $403,000, 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.
4. Hillsborough
The fourth 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 located in San Mateo County and is known for its great public school system, safe neighborhoods, and extremely high cost of living.
Hillsborough is also one of the most expensive cities in California for homebuyers, with a median home price of over $5 million.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
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 $163,815 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. 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.
11. 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.
Richest Cities in California Compared
|
Ranking |
City |
Median Household Income |
Median Home Price |
|
1 |
Atherton |
$534,000.00 |
$7.25 Million |
|
2 |
Los Altos Hills |
$417,500.00 |
$5.35 Million |
|
3 |
Woodside |
$403,000 |
$3.55 Million |
|
4 |
Hillsborough |
$250,001.00 |
$5.02 Million |
|
5 |
Los Altos |
$240,094.00 |
$3.9 Million |
|
6 |
Orinda |
$231,230.00 |
$1.97 Million |
|
7 |
Palos Verdes Estates |
$197,826.00 |
$2.7 Million |
|
8 |
Cupertino |
$182,857.00 |
$2.66 Million |
|
9 |
Foster City |
$163,815.00 |
$1.78 Million |
|
10 |
La Habra Heights |
$163,750.00 |
$1.3 Million |
|
11 |
Westlake Village |
$153,007.00 |
$1.42 Million |
Richest Cities in California Methodology
This list of eleven wealthiest cities in California was compiled according to the median income in each city for 2023 as well as median home prices. We looked at state and federal data for 2023 to determine the median household income of the richest cities in California. We also examined home sales between January 1, 2023, and Dec 31, 2023.
Richest Cities in California Takeaways
California's wealthiest cities offer a blend of high incomes, luxurious homes, and exceptional living conditions. From the tech-centric communities of Silicon Valley to the serene coastal landscapes, these cities provide residents with a high quality of life and numerous amenities. Whether you're drawn to the bustling town centers, top-rated schools, or outdoor activities, each city on this list exemplifies the opulence and desirability that make them some of the richest places to live in the state.