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.
Richest 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 |
Richest 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.