Wealth Index
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of a county's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | Foster City | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $193,442 | $96,718 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $130,952 | $68,943 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 5.8% | 6.0% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 43.7% | 16.9% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Foster City is about 100% higher than in California. Income has been growing slower in Foster City (5.8%/yr) than in California (6.0%/yr).
About 44% of adults in Foster City earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, higher than the California average of 17%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Foster City, California grew by 79.4% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $193,442 in 2023. That's an average of about 5.8% per year.
Economic Inequality in Foster City | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Foster City | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.512 | 0.596 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $135,254 | $73,016 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $124,760 | $63,704 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 7.8% | 12.8% | 19.1% |
The Gini coefficient measures how evenly income is shared between richer and poorer households, from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns nearly everything). The lower the number, the more equally income is distributed. In Foster City, it is 0.512, lower than California's 0.596, so income is more evenly distributed here than there, and lower than the US's 0.570, so income is more evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 8% more than women's income in Foster City, California. Over a 35-year career, a 8% wage gap accumulates to roughly $367,290 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Foster City, California has narrowed from about 26% to 8% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $13,734 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Foster City | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 6.4% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 30.1% | 15.5% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 28 | 23 | 22 |
Approximately 847 people are unemployed in Foster City, California.
The average commute time in Foster City is 28 minutes, longer than the 23 minutes in California.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Foster City, California has fallen from 6.7% to 4.8% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Foster City, California has an overall wealth index grade of A+, making it far better than California, and far better than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Foster City, California.
How Rich Is Foster City, California?
Foster City has a wealth index grade of A+. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; an A+ grade means it is one of the most prosperous areas in the country. The median household income is $193,442, about 100% higher than the California average of $96,718.
What is the current median household income in Foster City, California?
As of 2023, the median household income in Foster City, California is $193,442.
What was the median household income in Foster City in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Foster City, California was $193,442.
What was the median household income in Foster City in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Foster City, California was $164,605.
What is the Gini coefficient in Foster City, California?
The Gini coefficient in Foster City is 0.512. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is lower than the US average of 0.570, so income is distributed more equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Foster City, California?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Foster City, California has narrowed from about 26% to 8% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $13,734 since 2009.