California is home to some of the wealthiest individuals and communities in the United States. Silicon Valley in the San Francisco Bay Area contains some of the richest zip codes in the country, while Los Angeles and San Diego also have exclusive neighborhoods populated by the ultra-wealthy. But where exactly in California do the richest people live?
The Richest Neighborhoods in California
According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, these are some of the richest zip codes in California based on median household income:
| Zip Code | City | Median Household Income |
|---|---|---|
| 94027 | Atherton | $250,000+ |
| 90210 | Beverly Hills | $200,000+ |
| 94920 | Belvedere | $175,000+ |
| 94957 | Ross | $175,000+ |
| 94028 | Portola Valley | $175,000+ |
| 94010 | Burlingame | $150,000+ |
| 94022 | Los Altos | $150,000+ |
| 92130 | La Jolla | $150,000+ |
| 94970 | St. Helena | $150,000+ |
| 92662 | Newport Beach | $150,000+ |
As the data shows, Atherton in Silicon Valley has the highest median household income in California at over $250,000 per year. Other Bay Area communities like Belvedere, Ross, Portola Valley, Burlingame, and Los Altos all have median incomes above $150,000 annually. Affluent beach cities near Los Angeles such as La Jolla and Newport Beach also have median household incomes over $150,000.
Wealthiest Cities in California
In addition to neighborhoods with the highest incomes, here are some of the overall wealthiest cities in California based on average household net worth:
| City | Average Household Net Worth |
|---|---|
| Atherton | $6.7 million |
| Hillsborough | $4.9 million |
| Los Altos Hills | $4.8 million |
| Belvedere | $3.8 million |
| Newport Beach | $3.6 million |
| Piedmont | $3.4 million |
| Beverly Hills | $3.4 million |
| Diablo | $3.2 million |
| Menlo Park | $3 million |
| Palo Alto | $2.9 million |
The Silicon Valley town of Atherton tops the list with an astronomical average household net worth of $6.7 million. Nearby communities like Hillsborough, Los Altos Hills, and Menlo Park are also among the top 10 wealthiest cities in California. Coastal cities known for high-end real estate such as Newport Beach and Beverly Hills likewise have average household net worths in the multi-millions.
Richest Neighborhoods in Los Angeles
The Los Angeles metropolitan area is home to some of the wealthiest communities in the Golden State. Here are some of the richest neighborhoods within LA County:
- Beverly Hills – Beverly Hills 90210 is world famous for luxury homes, upscale shopping, and glamorous residents. Median home prices top $3 million.
- Holmby Hills – An exclusive district bordering Beverly Hills that contains the famous Playboy Mansion. Homes easily sell for tens of millions.
- Bel Air – Situated in the hills above LA, Bel Air real estate includes lavish estates from celebrities and business tycoons. Average home value is $7 million.
- Pacific Palisades – Affluent beach community with multi-million dollar homes overlooking the Pacific. Popular with entertainment executives.
- Brentwood – High-end neighborhood home to stars and moguls. The median home price is around $4 million.
- Malibu – Seaside community known for sprawling beach houses. Many mansions rent for over $100,000/month.
LA’s Westside neighborhoods such as Beverly Hills, Bel Air, and Brentwood are hotspots for the rich and famous. Seaside communities like Pacific Palisades and Malibu are also elite enclaves with stunning oceanfront mansions.
Wealthiest Neighborhoods in San Francisco
San Francisco proper may only be 7 miles square but the metro area is filled with exclusive and ultra-expensive neighborhoods.
Here are some of the richest areas in San Francisco:
- Pacific Heights – Victorians and hilltop mansions with views. Median home price is $5.5 million.
- Presidio Heights – Elite homes nestled next to the Presidio. The median listing price is $4.6 million.
- St. Francis Wood – House prices average $2.7 million in this exclusive inner neighborhood.
- Sea Cliff – Cliffside estate district a stone’s throw from the Pacific. Median sale price hits $5 million.
- Telegraph Hill – Bohemian-turned-upscale area with multi-million dollar cottages and condos.
- Russian Hill – Central neighborhood with Instagram-famous Lombard Street. Typical homes run around $2.5 million.
From hilltop mansions to homes hugging the Bay, San Francisco’s ritziest digs offer stunning views and designer living. However, Silicon Valley is where the real money lives.
Richest Areas in Silicon Valley
Silicon Valley, located south of San Francisco, contains some of the most prosperous communities in America thanks to the tech industry. The ultra-wealthy neighborhoods tend to be centered around cities like Palo Alto, Mountain View, and Cupertino – home to companies like Facebook, Google, and Apple.
Here are some of the richest Silicon Valley cities and neighborhoods:
- Atherton – The most expensive zip code in the country, with median home prices around $7 million.
- Los Altos Hills – Sprawling estates and country living for tech billionaires. Median sale price is $5 million.
- Saratoga – Family friendly community minutes from Apple HQ. Typical home values exceed $3 million.
- Palo Alto – Posh Palo Alto is home to Stanford University and top-tier tech firms. Median list price is $3.7 million.
- Monte Sereno – Ultra-affluent town bordering Saratoga where homes run $4 million-plus.
- Portola Valley – Woodsy enclave with multi-acre estates. Average home value tops $4 million.
- Woodside – Rolling hills dotted with massive luxury ranches. Median sale price is around $2.6 million.
With its mature trees, spacious homes and proximity to top tech companies, Silicon Valley caters to the elite ranks of tech executives. Nearby San Francisco also provides world-class amenities and culture.
Wealthiest Areas in San Diego
While not as rich as San Francisco or Silicon Valley, certain coastal communities in San Diego are home to very high net worth individuals.
Some of the wealthiest San Diego neighborhoods include:
- La Jolla – Upscale village and beach community bordering glitzy La Jolla Shores. Median home price is around $2.5 million.
- Coronado – Affluent enclave on an island in San Diego Bay. Real estate averages $1.6 million.
- Rancho Santa Fe – Master-planned community with golf courses and horse trails. Typical home value is $2.7 million.
- Del Mar – Swanky beach town with luxury estates and celebrity residents. Median listing price is $2.9 million.
- Carmel Valley – Family-oriented suburb with excellent schools and large homes. Average sale price is $1.4 million.
- Point Loma – Seaside neighborhood with bay and ocean views. Home prices average around $1.4 million.
From La Jolla to Del Mar, San Diego’s coastal cities lure the wealthy with sunshine, beaches and coastal mansions. Inland communities like Rancho Santa Fe also offer exclusive country club living.
Richest Counties in California
When looking at overall wealth, certain counties in California stand out for their high number of rich residents. According to investment research firm Wealth-X, here are the five wealthiest counties in California based on total private wealth held by all residents:
| County | Total Private Wealth |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles County | $1.7 trillion |
| Orange County | $464 billion |
| San Mateo County | $390 billion |
| San Francisco County | $364 billion |
| Santa Clara County | $320 billion |
Los Angeles County tops the list at nearly $1.7 trillion in private wealth held by residents. This is not surprising given it is the most populous county in the U.S. Orange County follows with a sizeable $464 billion. Northern California counties home to San Francisco and Silicon Valley – like San Mateo and Santa Clara – also make the top five.
Billionaire Zip Codes
California has more billionaires than any other U.S. state – over 160 according to Forbes. Many live clustered together in exclusive neighborhoods and luxury towers.
Here are some of the billionaire hotspots in California:
- Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park – This legendary VC hub houses many billionaires thanks to big IPOs. Cars are rare as billionaires bike to ritzy breakfast spots.
- 49ers Row, Beverly Hills – Mansions belonging to the likes of Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos line this aptly named street.
- The Century, Century City – Luxury high-rise with 30 billionaires including Candy Spelling and Lynsi Snyder.
- 777 Sarbonne Rd, Bel Air – Single apartment building with at least 5 billionaire residents from energy, media and other sectors.
- St. Pierre Rd, Hillsborough – Low-key Silicon Valley street with 8 billionaire families as residents.
The money may be new but billionaires stick together when it comes to real estate. For discreet luxury and networking opportunities, certain exclusive streets and properties in California offer unrivaled concentrations of the ultra-wealthy.
Celebrity Hot Spots
From Oscar winners to superstar athletes, California is a magnet for famous celebrities ready to live large and spend big on real estate. There are several go-to neighborhoods and cities where the rich and renowned flock when in California:
- Malibu – Beach city peppered with celebrity mega-mansions from Cindy Crawford, Courteney Cox, Leonardo DiCaprio and more.
- Calabasas – Kardashian headquarters and sanctuary for entertainment’s elite due to privacy and proximity to LA.
- Beverly Hills – Global capital of glitz and glam with 5 star hotels and iconic shopping for A-listers.
- Holmby Hills – Prestigious LA enclave home to the Playboy Mansion and estates of Academy Award winners.
- Montecito – Oprah lives here, along with other stars seeking a refined coastal escape near Santa Barbara.
- Palm Springs – Vintage desert oasis beloved by Old Hollywood stars, still attracting today’s superstars.
For luxury living off-screen, celebrities choose secluded havens and exclusive communities they can call home in California. A number of posh ZIP codes were put on the map thanks to their famous residents.
Richest Small Towns
Some of the Golden State’s wealthiest communities by net worth are not populous cities but rather small, exclusive towns. Here are a few of the richest small towns in California:
- Atherton – Ranked the most expensive ZIP code in America, the Silicon Valley town boasts average household net worth of $6.7 million.
- Hillsborough – With a population around 11,000, average household net worth is nearly $5 million in this ultra-upscale Bay Area town.
- Belvedere – Wealthy Marin County enclave with a median household income over $175,000 and average net worth of $3.8 million.
- Monte Sereno – Fewer than 4,000 people reside in this ultra-affluent Silicon Valley town bordering Los Gatos.
- Ross – Marin community withmedian household income of $175,000+ and average net worth in the millions.
- Hidden Hills – Gated SoCal community with around 2,000 residents and home prices averaging $2.5 million.
Secluded towns near major hubs provide the rich and famous with privacy and exclusivity with all the nearby urban amenities. From Silicon Valley to Hollywood stars, small town California living attracts big money.
Top Cities for Luxury Real Estate
From sprawling mega-mansions to swanky penthouses with panoramic views, luxury real estate comes at a premium price in certain California hot spots. Top cities for luxury properties include:
- San Francisco – Prestigious neighborhoods like Pacific Heights and Presidio Heights boast multi-million dollar mansions.
- Los Angeles – Extravagant estates are the norm in exclusive Westside communities like Beverly Hills and Bel Air.
- Newport Beach – Beachfront community renowned for its glamorous architecture and oceanfront mansions.
- Palo Alto – Multi-million dollar homes abound in this Silicon Valley hub known for its sought-after school district.
- San Diego – Affluent coastal towns like La Jolla and Del Mar are home to grand estates and luxury condos.
- Malibu – Celeb-centric beach city with many multi-million dollar Broad Beach mansions.
For the elite seeking a world-class lifestyle, California offers exclusive neighborhoods dotted with grand homes, high-end condos and lavish amenities. Gorgeous views and outdoor spaces raise listings even higher.
conclusion
From Silicon Valley tech billionaires to Hollywood celebrities, California has a high concentration of the world’s wealthiest citizens. Exclusive neighborhoods in the Bay Area, LA and San Diego boast extravagant mansions, high incomes and enormous net worths. For the rich and famous, California offers exclusive communities, luxury amenities, magnificent views and plenty of opportunity to live large in the Golden State.