The Richest and Poorest People in America Live in These ZIP Codes (2024)

The United States is a society beset by a huge disparity in wealth, with some of the highest levels of wealth and income inequality in the world. But, while America features some of the biggest gaps between our richest and poorest inhabitants, those people don’t often seem to be living side by side.

GOBankingRates examined every zip code in the country to determine which are the richest and which are the poorest, based on the concentration of different income levels among the people living there.

The nation’s poorest zip codes tend to be located either in a larger metropolitan area or representing sparsely populated, rural districts. Geographically, the poorest zip codes tend to be located in the eastern United States, with just two zip codes on the west coast and 19 of the 25 east of the Mississippi River.

Keep reading to see some of the poorest areas in America.

Median household income: $12,370Mean household income: $37,827Percent of households that earn $150,000 a year or more: 4.8Percent of households that earn $25,000 a year or less: 68.5

In this zip code, just south of Los Angeles’ Skid Row neighborhood, more than two-thirds of its inhabitants earn less than $25,000 a year. Los Angeles, however, is one of the cities that are becoming more expensive.

Median household income: $13,853Mean household income: $28,825Percent of households that earn $150,000 a year or more: 1.1Percent of households that earn $25,000 a year or less: 60.8

Not only is it one of the poorest zip codes, but Cincinnati is also one of the cities where you can live off less than $50,000 a year.

The city of Cincinnati was once known as “Porkopolis” for its thriving pork trade. But today the city’s economy has diversified industries, such as life sciences and financial services. This area is located just north of Interstate 75, north of major Cincinnati universities.

Median household income: $9,063Mean household income: $31,939Percent of households that earn $150,000 a year or more: 6.3Percent of households that earn $25,000 a year or less: 66.3

Tiny Geneva, located between Macon and Columbus, has about 100 residents in its boundaries, which encompass less than a square mile, according to the state of Georgia.

Median household income: $2,500Mean household income: $32,432Percent of households that earn $150,000 a year or more: 16Percent of households that earn $25,000 a year or less: 70.4

Chokoloskee is an interesting case. Its median income is less than a third of the next-lowest on the list, but its mean income is actually the highest among the 25 poorest zip codes. That’s because about one in six residents of this coastal South Florida community pulls down more than $150,000 annually.

Median household income: $13,964Mean household income: $28,405Percent of households that earn $150,000 a year or more: 1.6Percent of households that earn $25,000 a year or less: 67.2

The Motor City has the highest poverty rate of major American cities, with nearly four in 10 inhabitants below the poverty level. However, Detroit is one of the cities where your paycheck will stretch the furthest, found a separate study.

Median household income: $11,899Mean household income: $31,608Percent of households that earn $150,000 a year or more: 3.4Percent of households that earn $25,000 a year or less: 69.7

It’s fitting that the next zip code on the list is in Cleveland: The Northeastern Ohio city has the second-highest poverty rate behind Detroit at 35.4 percent. As a whole, though, Cleveland is one of the cities where rent is cheap, but cost of living isn’t.

Median household income: $12,255Mean household income: $25,501Percent of households that earn $150,000 a year or more: 1.8Percent of households that earn $25,000 a year or less: 68.5

The city of Toledo was once the focal point of a border war between Michigan and Ohio. While plenty of people are struggling to make ends meet in the 43604 zip code, a GOBankingRates study shows that Toledo is the No. 1 city where your paycheck goes the furthest.

Median household income: $12,336Mean household income: $23,053Percent of households that earn $150,000 a year or more: 0Percent of households that earn $25,000 a year or less: 67

The rural Tennessee community of Buena Vista, located just north of the Natchez Trace State Park and Forest, has no residents with annual incomes north of $150,000. And two out of three inhabitants earn less than $25,000 a year.

Median household income: $11,384Mean household income: $24,463Percent of households that earn $150,000 a year or more: 0Percent of households that earn $25,000 a year or less: 70.6

Located near the Navajo Nation Reservation and the Canyon de Chelly National Monument in the northeastern corner of the state, Nazlini has a population of less than 500 people.

Median household income: $12,454Mean household income: $25,008Percent of households that earn $150,000 a year or more: 0.7Percent of households that earn $25,000 a year or less: 72.9

The 12207 zip code in Albany is located along the Hudson River. While the city of Albany as a whole has a median household income of $42,335, this neighborhood not far from the state Capitol building comes in about $30,000 a year lower than that.

Median household income: $10,511Mean household income: $24,625Percent of households that earn $150,000 a year or more: 2Percent of households that earn $25,000 a year or less: 75.3

Located on the Ohio River adjacent to the Central Business District, Cincinnati’s 45203 zip code has an average income under $25,000 a year. Fortunately for retirees, the cost of living is low, making Cincinnati one of the cities where your retirement nest egg will last the longest.

Median household income: $13,412Mean household income: $20,289Percent of households that earn $150,000 a year or more: 0Percent of households that earn $25,000 a year or less: 73.8

The city of Cincinnati has three different zip codes among the 25 poorest, indicating that the southern Ohio metropolis is going through some especially trying times.

Median household income: $12,773Mean household income: $23,199Percent of households that earn $150,000 a year or more: 0Percent of households that earn $25,000 a year or less: 75.2

Nestled next to the Santa Fe National Forest, Chamisal has about only 1,000 residents, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Median household income: $11,786Mean household income: $20,348Percent of households that earn $150,000 a year or more: 0Percent of households that earn $25,000 a year or less: 73.1

The tiny town of Auburn is at the fork of Bone Creek in northern West Virginia and has about 25 residents, which likely contributes to it having one of the poorest zip codes in the U.S.

Median household income: $12,470Mean household income: $27,349Percent of households that earn $150,000 a year or more: 0Percent of households that earn $25,000 a year or less: 80.8

Located near the scenic Organ Mountains, Organ has a population of less than 200 people and a poverty rate of almost 50 percent.

Median household income: $13,110Mean household income: $21,601Percent of households that earn $150,000 a year or more: 0.5Percent of households that earn $25,000 a year or less: 79.1

The 79901 zip code sits just north of the Rio Grande River, which divides the U.S. and Mexico. While almost four out of five residents in this zip code make less than $25,000 a year, they might be able to stretch what they do make.

Median household income: $14,060Mean household income: $15,225Percent of households that earn $150,000 a year or more: 0Percent of households that earn $25,000 a year or less: 77

Times are tough for this Gulf Coast community sitting on the Bon Secour Bay. The Census Bureau estimates that more than half of its population left between 2010 and 2016. The community has about 350 residents.

Median household income: $11,755Mean household income: $18,965Percent of households that earn $150,000 a year or more: 0Percent of households that earn $25,000 a year or less: 82

Connecticut has the second-most millionaires per capita in the United States, but none apparently live in Waterbury.

Median household income: $9,455Mean household income: $16,738Percent of households that earn $150,000 a year or more: 0Percent of households that earn $25,000 a year or less: 81.6

Canton is home to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but residents of the 44702 zip code have a median income below $10,000. That’s less than a third of the median income of the city as a whole.

Median household income: $10,268Mean household income: $14,962Percent of households that earn $150,000 a year or more: 0Percent of households that earn $25,000 a year or less: 90.7

More than one quarter of the city of Decatur’s residents are living in poverty, but that number gets much worse when you focus on the historic downtown district. Inside the 62523 zip code, nearly 80 percent of people are living below the poverty line.

Median household income: $10,631Mean household income: $14,433Percent of households that earn $150,000 a year or more: 0Percent of households that earn $25,000 a year or less: 91.1

While the city as a whole has a median income of $35,205, that’s still more than triple the median wage for residents of the 16501 zip code.

Median household income: $12,580Mean household income: $10,257Percent of households that earn $150,000 a year or more: 0Percent of households that earn $25,000 a year or less: 91

Another sparsely populated rural community, Sun Valley has about 280 residents. The median age in the community is 57.

Median household income: $8,775Mean household income: $14,410Percent of households that earn $150,000 a year or more: 2.1Percent of households that earn $25,000 a year or less: 92.8

This is the seventh and final Ohio zip code to appear among the 25 poorest, with no other state containing more than two. This Youngstown zip code is one of just two among the 14 poorest to feature any portion of its population earning $150,000 or more.

Median household income: $10,756Mean household income: $13,072Percent of households that earn $150,000 a year or more: 0Percent of households that earn $25,000 a year or less: 93.4

The tiny community of Broadbent has a median income just more $10,000. And more than 90 percent of its residents earnings less than $25,000 a year.

Median household income: $8,889Mean household income: $12,381Percent of households that earn $150,000 a year or more: 0Percent of households that earn $25,000 a year or less: 94.4

The poorest zip code in the United States is tiny East Wheatfield, east of Pittsburgh, and on the Backlick Creek. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates it has about 70 residents.

While the nation’s wealthiest zip codes are spread out across the country, a preponderance of them are in two specific areas. Six are located within an hour’s drive of each other along the southern border of New York and Connecticut ― between the Hudson River and Long Island Sound ― and just outside of New York City. Two more are nearby in Manhattan and two more are nearby in New Jersey. ‘

Meanwhile, on the other side of the country, three of the wealthiest zips are in California’s Silicon Valley, with one more popping up just across the San Francisco Bay.

Median household income: $212,188Mean household income: $161,330Percent of households that earn $150,000 a year or more: 58.8Percent of households that earn $25,000 a year or less: 0

The seaside community of Strathmere has the distinction of being one of the two zip codes where the median income is actually higher than the mean, something made all the more curious by the fact that even the poorest residents are still earning more than $25,000 a year.

Median household income: $204,432Mean household income: $210,139Percent of households that earn $150,000 a year or more: 59.9Percent of households that earn $25,000 a year or less: 3

Glenwood has nearly six out of 10 residents earnings $150,000 or more each year. They’re not alone. Maryland has the most millionaires per capita of any U.S. state.

Median household income: $230,052Mean household income: $184,728Percent of households that earn $150,000 a year or more: 63.5Percent of households that earn $25,000 a year or less: 0

Located next to the Westconnaug Reservoir, Clayville is the other zip code where the median income is below the average income, in this case by almost $50,000 a year.

Median household income: $204,007Mean household income: $237,248Percent of households that earn $150,000 a year or more: 73.8Percent of households that earn $25,000 a year or less: 0

Nearly three out of every four inhabitants of Spencerville, which is in Montgomery County and between Baltimore and Washington, D.C., earn at least $150,000 annually.

Median household income: $204,534Mean household income: $275,639Percent of households that earn $150,000 a year or more: 61Percent of households that earn $25,000 a year or less: 5.8

The Silicon Valley town of Los Altos is home to some of the Bay Area’s richest residents. In fact, you won’t believe how wealthy this city really is.

Median household income: $222,917Mean household income: $255,961Percent of households that earn $150,000 a year or more: 62.7Percent of households that earn $25,000 a year or less: 0

Containing all of Lake Waccabuc and the Long Pond Reserve, the sparsely populated Township of Lewisboro on the border of New York and Connecticut grew to a population of more than 1,000 in the last decade.

Median household income: $218,152Mean household income: $277,362Percent of households that earn $150,000 a year or more: 62.9Percent of households that earn $25,000 a year or less: 4.1

These two neighbors on the list of the wealthiest 25 zip codes are also neighbors in real life, with Weston just a 17-mile drive from the Township of Lewisboro across the border in New York. The 06883 zip contains most of the Devil’s Den Nature Preserve.

Median household income: $211,442Mean household income: $290,873Percent of households that earn $150,000 a year or more: 68.6Percent of households that earn $25,000 a year or less: 0

Located on the Wissahickon Creek north of Philadelphia, Gwynedd Valley is less than 20 miles from the Valley Forge National Historical Park. But, with a median income over $200,000, it’s a safe bet that winters there are a far sight better than the one the Continental Army suffered through.

Median household income: $209,375Mean household income: $317,708Percent of households that earn $150,000 a year or more: 62Percent of households that earn $25,000 a year or less: 7

Located on the Long Island Sound just outside of Stamford, Old Greenwich is another of the well-monied towns peppering the border between New York and Connecticut.

Median household income: $215,122Mean household income: $299,620Percent of households that earn $150,000 a year or more: 67.7Percent of households that earn $25,000 a year or less: 4.3

Great Falls is a Washington, D.C., suburb located along the Potomac River. With an average income of almost $300,000 a year for its residents, it appears that more than just the falls are “great.”

Median household income: $211,023Mean household income: $316,434Percent of households that earn $150,000 a year or more: 62.1Percent of households that earn $25,000 a year or less: 5.7

Located on the shores of Lake Michigan, Kenilworth is sandwiched between Evanston, home to Northwestern University, and Winnetka, the wealthiest city in Illinois. It also is the only zip code among the 25 wealthiest to fall in the Midwest.

Median household income: $208,125Mean household income: $327,901Percent of households that earn $150,000 a year or more: 62.5Percent of households that earn $25,000 a year or less: 5.6

Darien, on the southern shore of Connecticut, is the wealthiest city in the state, a previous study found.

Median household income: $213,688Mean household income: $330,455Percent of households that earn $150,000 a year or more: 63Percent of households that earn $25,000 a year or less: 2.5

Situated along the border with Connecticut and near the Kensico Reservoir, Armonk is another of the wealthy zip codes found between the Hudson River and the Long Island Sound.

Median household income: $229,554Mean household income: $331,401Percent of households that earn $150,000 a year or more: 62.3Percent of households that earn $25,000 a year or less: 7.4

Portola Valley represents the second of three Silicon Valley locations on the list, with the average salary for residents coming in at over $330,000 a year.

Median household income: $250,000+Mean household income: $300,988Percent of households that earn $150,000 a year or more: 64.6Percent of households that earn $25,000 a year or less: 6.5

Most of the 10282 zip code actually is along the Hudson River, but the tiny slice of Lower Manhattan it includes contains Rockefeller Park, the Battery Park City Ball Fields and the Irish Hunger Memorial. The median income for this zip code might be much higher, but the U.S. Census Bureau records only median incomes up to $250,000.

Median household income: $250,000+Mean household income: $312,420Percent of households that earn $150,000 a year or more: 70.2Percent of households that earn $25,000 a year or less: 7.7

The only one of the 25 wealthiest zip codes to appear in the South is Houston’s 77010 zip between the Central Business District and downtown.

Median household income: $244,527Mean household income: $334,662Percent of households that earn $150,000 a year or more: 70.4Percent of households that earn $25,000 a year or less: 4.4

Chappaqua is the last of the six zip codes along the New York/Connecticut border and is directly adjacent to zip code No. 13, Armonk, N.Y. Chappaqua is the wealthiest of the six, though, with a median income of nearly a quarter million dollars.

Median household income: $250,000+Mean household income: $354,286Percent of households that earn $150,000 a year or more: 72.1Percent of households that earn $25,000 a year or less: 4.3

The Newark suburb of Short Hills, home to just over 13,000 people, is another zip code where the median income could be even higher than the $250,000 a year reported by the Census Bureau.

Median household income: $234,958Mean household income: $392,959Percent of households that earn $150,000 a year or more: 68.3Percent of households that earn $25,000 a year or less: 5

The 10007 zip code in Lower Manhattan borders the other Manhattan zip code among the 25 wealthiest (10282), lies at the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge and is home to New York’s City Hall.

Median household income: $250,000-plusMean household income: $388,615Percent of households that earn $150,000 a year or more: 63.4Percent of households that earn $25,000 a year or less: 3.6

Located outside San Rafael in Marin County and directly adjacent to the Point Reyes National Seashore, Ross is just across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco and Silicon Valley. Less than 1,500 people live there, but their average income exceeds $385,000 a year.

Median household income: $250,000-plusMean household income: $386,571Percent of households that earn $150,000 a year or more: 69.2Percent of households that earn $25,000 a year or less: 5.8

Located just outside of Baltimore, the 21153 zip — which contains parts of both Garrison and Pikesville — is home to just more than 300 people. Nearly 70 percent of households make more than $150,000 per year.

Median household income: $232,500Mean household income: $447,711Percent of households that earn $150,000 a year or more: 61.2Percent of households that earn $25,000 a year or less: 15

Florida presents two of the most interesting zip codes in this study. While Chokoloskee has an unusually high concentration of top earners — despite being among the 25 poorest zip codes — Fisher Island in Miami has 15 percent of its residents earning less than $25,000 annually despite the zip code as a whole averaging almost half a million per year.

Median household income: $243,542Mean household income: $432,416Percent of households that earn $150,000 a year or more: 67.9Percent of households that earn $25,000 a year or less: 5.6

Although Silicon Valley might ultimately feature fewer wealthy zip codes than the area between New York and Connecticut, its top zip code, Atherton, is the highest-ranked of the combined group.

Median household income: $250,000+Mean household income: $441,235Percent of households that earn $150,000 a year or more: 100Percent of households that earn $25,000 a year or less: 0

The 07970 zip outside Mendham is the most exclusive zip code on this list. With a population of 117, every household in the area earns at least $150,000 a year.

Median household income: $250,000+Mean household income: $541,084Percent of households that earn $150,000 a year or more: 89.5Percent of households that earn $25,000 a year or less: 0

With so much of America’s wealth concentrated around New York City and the San Francisco Bay Area, the nation’s wealthiest zip code lies in … Kentucky?

It’s true. This zip code doesn’t contain any households with less than $25,000, and the average household brings in over half a million in annual income.

While the poorest ZIP codes include neighborhoods in some of America’s major urban areas, with the exception of two ZIP codes in the southern part of Manhattan, the rich seem to prefer living in the suburbs. That said, the richest and the poorest ZIP codes include plenty of rural areas with populations of less than 1,000 people.

One other notable trend would be that while 14 of the poorest ZIP codes are exclusively middle-class and below, with no one earning $150,000 or more living in them, all but two of the 10 wealthiest ZIP codes have at least some residents earning less than $25,000 a year.

Click through to see which cities are in danger of a housing crisis.

More on Economy

• What It Costs to Live in America’s Most Expensive ZIP Codes
• What Percent of Americans Think They Will Be a Millionaire?
• Best and Worst States for the Middle Class
• Watch:Why Your Next Home Will be a Shoebox

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Methodology: The study looked at four different factors for each ZIP code: median household income, mean household income, what portion of households are making more than $150,000 annually, and what portion are making less than $25,000 a year. Then, after weighing each factor and combining the results, the study produced a definitive list of which areas have the highest concentration of wealthy people and which are predominantly occupied by people who are more likely to be struggling to make ends meet.