What Is Net Worth by Major City
Net worth by major city measures the average or median wealth of households in a metro area. It is calculated by subtracting liabilities from assets, including home equity, savings, investments, and retirement accounts. Higher net worth in a city often reflects higher incomes, property values, and cost of living.
Which Major Cities Have the Highest Net Worth
Cities such as San Jose, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., and New York frequently rank among the top for household net worth. Tech hubs and major financial centers tend to show elevated figures because of concentrated high-paying industries and expensive real estate markets. Local tax policies and housing costs also shape these outcomes.
How to Compare Net Worth Across Cities
To compare net worth by major city, use data from the Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finances and the U.S. Census Bureau. Adjust for household size and cost of living to make fair comparisons. Focus on median net worth rather than averages, since averages can be skewed by a small number of ultra-wealthy households. For detailed methodology, see the Federal Reserve's Survey of Consumer Finances.
