America's Most Affluent Towns

Everyone has a different definition of success, but it can’t be denied that those who have “made it” gravitate together to live in the same towns and neighborhoods.

Money Magazine has defined success as these affluent communities, where the median family income exceeds $200,000 and a house will cost you at least three-quarters of a million dollars. The majority of America’s most affluent towns are located on the East Coast and mostly within an easy commute of Manhattan.

The list of top-earning towns is part of Money’s Best Place to Live, highlighting the top 50 small towns that are thriving economically and have “all you could want in a place to raise a family: plenty of green space, good schools and a strong sense of community.”

5. New Canaan, Conn.

Population: 20,140

Median family income: $236,758

Median home price: $1.1 million

State unemployment rate: 8.1%

Waveny Mansion in Waveny Park

Parents who want their children to have a good education will do well here — New Canaan’s SAT scores were the second best in Connecticut in 2012. Commuters don’t have it too bad either with Stamford just 18 minutes away. Plus, Manhattan is a 70-minute train ride.

4. Potomac, Md.

Population: 46,387

Median family income: $239,330

Median home price: $795,000

State unemployment rate: 7%

Since Potomac is just a 30-minute commute into Washington, D.C., plenty of executives call the town home. This horse country is also famous for its fox hunts.

3. Hillsborough, Calif.

Population: 11,101

Median family income: $262,456

Median home price: $2.4 million

State unemployment rate: 8.5%

Caroland Chateau. Photo by A.R. Deer.

Close proximity to both Silicon Valley and San Francisco means Hillsborough is a highly desirable location for affluent residents. According to Money, the elementary schools are the third best in the state and the town is entirely residential.

2. Weston, Conn.

Population: 10,388

Median family income: $275,154

Median home price: $755,000

State unemployment rate: 8.1%

House in one of Weston’s historic districts.

The zoning law of Weston makes the minimum lot size two acres, which means there are plenty of sprawling estates.

1. Scarsdale, N.Y.

Population: 17,336

Median family income: $291,542

Median home price: $1.2 million

State unemployment rate: 7.5%

Image from TheWestchesterReview.com

This town is just a half-hour train ride into Manhattan, so its well-off residents have the largest incomes of the list. According to Money, Scarsdale also has some of the best schools in the area.