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 | Los Altos | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $200,000 | $96,718 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $141,118 | $68,943 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 0.8% | 6.0% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 47.7% | 16.9% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Los Altos is about 107% higher than in California. Income has been growing slower in Los Altos (0.8%/yr) than in California (6.0%/yr).
About 48% of adults in Los Altos 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 Los Altos, California grew by 26.1% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $200,000 in 2023. That's an average of about 0.8% per year.
Economic Inequality in Los Altos | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Los Altos | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.505 | 0.596 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $143,819 | $73,016 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $136,150 | $63,704 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 5.3% | 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 Los Altos, it is 0.505, 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 6% more than women's income in Los Altos, California. Over a 35-year career, a 6% wage gap accumulates to roughly $268,415 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Los Altos, California has narrowed from about 25% to 5% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $26,499 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Los Altos | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 4.0% | 6.4% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 35.0% | 15.5% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 22 | 23 | 22 |
Approximately 563 people are unemployed in Los Altos, California.
The average commute time in Los Altos is 22 minutes, shorter than the 23 minutes in California.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Los Altos, California has fallen from 6.3% to 4.0% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Los Altos, 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 Los Altos, California.
How Rich Is Los Altos, California?
Los Altos 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 $200,000, about 107% higher than the California average of $96,718.
What is the current median household income in Los Altos, California?
As of 2023, the median household income in Los Altos, California is $200,000.
What was the median household income in Los Altos in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Los Altos, California was $200,000.
What was the median household income in Los Altos in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Los Altos, California was $200,000.
What is the Gini coefficient in Los Altos, California?
The Gini coefficient in Los Altos is 0.505. 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 Los Altos, California?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Los Altos, California has narrowed from about 25% to 5% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $26,499 since 2009.