The wealthiest households in the US are in California and on the East Coast. Five of the top ten wealthiest counties are in Virginia and Maryland, which are close to Washington, DC.
Loudoun County and Falls Church City, both in Virginia, had the highest median incomes per month in the country. They even made more than Silicon Valley, which is in California.
All 15 of America's richest counties earn more than $100,000 a year, with the top two earning an average of $147,111 and $146,922 a year.
They were a long way ahead of third-placed Santa Clara County, California, where the average household makes $130,890 a year and which makes up most of Silicon Valley.
Four counties are in the San Francisco Bay Area in California, and another four are in either New Jersey or New York.
Since January, rising interest rates meant to slow inflation have priced more than 9 million American homebuyers out of the market.
In January, the average monthly cost of paying off a home in the US went up by almost $270, according to economists.
The US Fed has already raised interest rates twice this year and is expected to do so six more times by the end of 2022. This will cause mortgage costs to go up a lot.
Inflation in the US is at its highest level in 41 years, at 9.1%, and gas prices have gone up 60% in the last year.
Prices have gone up for meat and poultry by 10.4%, cereal by 15.1%, and fruits and vegetables by 8.1%.
In recent years, Americans' incomes have gone up, but the U.S. Census Bureau says there is still a big difference in wealth between people.
Based on estimates from the American Community Survey for 2016-2020, these are the 15 counties with the highest average household income.
1. Loudoun County, Virginia
Loudoun County, in Virginia, had the wealthiest people, with an average income of $147,111 per year.
The average price of a home in the area is about $725,000, and it has the 10th best economy of all large cities.
Since 2008, the county's median household income has been the highest in the U.S. among places with a population of 65,000 or more.
2. Falls Church, Virginia
Falls Church is also in Virginia, but its neighbor to the north just beat it out for the top spot. Residents of Falls Church earn an average of $146,922 a year.
On average, homes in the county sell for around $747,000. This is more than Loudoun County.
The area, which is part of the metropolitan area of Washington, D.C., is number two on the list of America's Healthiest Communities made by U.S. News.
3. Santa Clara County, California
Santa Clara County in California, home to Silicon Valley, is the third richest county in the US, with a median income of $130,890.
But the average home in the area costs about $1.5 million, making it tied for second on the list of places with the most expensive homes.
Andy Ackerman, who is known for his roles on Seinfeld and Cheers and has won three Emmys, is one of the more well-known people who live in the county.
4. San Mateo County, California
The average income of the 765,623 people who live in California's rich San Mateo County is $128,091.
It also has the most expensive real estate on the list, with an average house price of $1.6 million.
Tom Brady was born in San Mateo and went to high school there. He graduated from Junpero Serra High School.
5. Fairfax County, Virginia
Fairfax County is the third county in Virginia to make the top five. On average, people who live there earn $127,866 per year.
The average price of a house there is $699,000. This is less than both Falls Church and Laudoun County.
In the Apple series, Jason Sudeikis played football coach Ted Lasso. He was born in the county, which is also home to the only national park in the United States that is all about the performing arts.
6. Howard County, Maryland
Howard County, Maryland, just missed making the top five. Residents there make an average of $124,042 a year, which is just below the top five.
On average, homes in the county sell for about $575,000. This makes it one of the more affordable choices on the list.
Even though the area is the second smallest in Maryland, the number of people living there has grown over the past ten years to 328,200.
7. Arlington County, Virginia
Arlington County is the fourth county in Virginia to make the list. On average, people who live there earn $122,604 a year.
On average, the prices of homes are the same as in counties higher up on the list. A home in this county costs an average of $749,000.
The Center for Digital Government and the National Association of Counties named Arlington the best digital county today.
8. Marin County, California
Residents of Marin County, California, on the West Coast make an average of $121,671 per year.
The average price of a home in the area is $1.5 million, which is the second most expensive on the list.
The Muir Woods redwood forest, the Marin Headlands, Stinson Beach, the Point Reyes National Seashore, and Mount Tamalpais are all natural places in Marin County.
9. Douglas County, Colorado
Douglas County, which is in Colorado, pays its residents an average of $121,393 per year, which is not too far behind California.
At the high end of the property price market, homes sell for an average of $724,900.
The county, which is south of Denver, is ranked third by U.S. News as one of the healthiest places to live in 2022 and third among urban areas with strong economies.
10. Nassau County, New York
Nassau County, New York, gives its residents an average of $120,036 per year. This makes it the last of the top five.
The average price of a home in the area is $699,900, which is about average for the wealthiest counties.
Nassau also has the best score in the overall rankings for public safety in the United States.
11. Los Alamos County, New Mexico
Los Alamos County, New Mexico, just missed the top ten. Residents there make an average of $119,266 a year, which is just short of making the top ten.
But the average home in the area, which is the only one from New Mexico on the list, costs $497,800, which is the lowest price on the list.
The county is northwest of Santa Fe. It has the smallest land area of any county in New Mexico and is ranked No. 1 by U.S. News as one of the healthiest places to live in 2022.
12. San Francisco County, California
In sunny California, people who live in San Francisco County bring home an average of $119,136 a year.
The average price of a home in the area is $1.3 million, and some of the more expensive ones go even higher.
A lot of famous people have bought homes in San Francisco, including Michelle Pfeiffer, Nicholas Cage, Robin Williams, and Whoopi Goldberg.
13. Hunterdon County, New Jersey
In the western part of New Jersey, in Hunterdon County, the people who make the most money are the ones who bring home an average of $117,858.
The average price of a home in the county, which is close to New York City and easy to get to by car, is $539,500.
Taissa Farmiga, who has been in movies like Apocalypse and American Horror Story, lives in the county in New Jersey.
14. Morris County, New Jersey
Morris County is in New Jersey, about 30 miles west of New York City. On average, people who live there make $117,298 per year.
Homes in the area sell for about $575,000. This makes them the most expensive homes on the list that are in New Jersey.
Buddy Valastro, the owner of Carlo's Bakery and the star of Cake Boss, is one of the well-known people who live in the county.
15. Somerset County, New Jersey
Somerset County is the last of the 15 richest counties in the US. It came in at number 15 because its two neighbors came in ahead of it.
The average income in the area is $116,510 per year, and the average home price is $529,700, which is the lowest on the list.
The area is known for its many historic sites and large farmlands, and anyone can enjoy their beautiful parks.
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