Wealth Index
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of a state's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
Wealthiest and Least Wealthy Counties in California
- Marin County (132% of U.S. avg)
- San Francisco County (129% of U.S. avg)
- San Mateo County (128% of U.S. avg)
- Lassen County (70% of U.S. avg)
- Imperial County (72% of U.S. avg)
- Del Norte County (76% of U.S. avg)
Ranked by the Map AI Wealth Index, which combines income, employment, and income inequality metrics.
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | California | US Average |
|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $96,718 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $68,943 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 6.0% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 16.9% | 13.2% |
The median household income in California is about 24% higher than in US. Income has been growing faster in California (6.0%/yr) than in US (5.1%/yr).
About 17% of adults in California earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, higher than the US average of 13%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in California grew by 59.8% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $96,718 in 2023. That's an average of about 6.0% per year.
Economic Inequality in California | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | California | US Average |
|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.596 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $73,016 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $63,704 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 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 California, it is 0.596, higher than US's 0.570, so income is less evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 15% more than women's income in California. Over a 35-year career, a 15% wage gap accumulates to roughly $325,920 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in California has narrowed from about 16% to 13% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $1,183 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | California | US Average |
|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 6.4% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 15.5% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 23 | 22 |
Approximately 1,281,732 people are unemployed in California.
The average commute time in California is 23 minutes, longer than the 22 minutes in US.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in California has fallen from 10.0% to 6.4% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, California has an overall wealth index grade of B, making it somewhat better than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in California.
How Rich Is California?
California has a wealth index grade of B. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a B grade means residents are quite well off compared to the U.S. average. The median household income is $96,718, about 24% higher than the US average of $78,145.
What is the current median household income in California?
As of 2023, the median household income in California is $96,718.
What was the median household income in California in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in California was $96,718.
What was the median household income in California in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in California was $79,109.
What is the Gini coefficient in California?
The Gini coefficient in California is 0.596. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is higher than the US average of 0.570, so income is distributed less equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in California?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in California has narrowed from about 16% to 13% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $1,183 since 2009.