The 10 Richest U.S. Counties When You Factor in Cost of Living

Discover the counties where high household incomes actually go the farthest. Based on adjusted income after cost-of-living calculations, these are the true wealth centers of America—ideal for high earners, remote professionals, and anyone looking to relocate smart.

The wealthiest counties in the U.S. are largely located where you’d expect, with the Washington, D.C. metro area leading the pack. Other affluent counties span across states like Colorado, Ohio, and Tennessee.

Interestingly, metro regions like New York City and the San Francisco Bay Area don’t make the list. Their exceptionally high cost of living—highlighted in the “10 Most Expensive Places to Live“—likely plays a role in this absence.

As is often the case, the richest counties tend to be among the most expensive. While residents enjoy higher incomes, they also face significantly greater living costs.

In reality, a large paycheck doesn’t always translate to greater purchasing power. This is particularly true in some of America’s wealthiest counties, where soaring living expenses can effectively shrink incomes by tens of thousands of dollars.

With this in mind, we set out to identify the “real” richest counties in the country. Using data from the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), we pinpointed counties with the highest median incomes and then adjusted those figures to reflect the local cost of living.

This cost-of-living adjustment provides a clearer, more practical view of the richest counties in the U.S. It highlights where incomes stretch the furthest—not just which places have the biggest paychecks.

That’s the main takeaway: the wealthiest counties aren’t always the ones with the highest incomes or the priciest living expenses. Managing costs effectively plays a vital role in financial well-being across all income brackets.

As a result, many of America’s truly richest counties are located in unexpected areas.

Take a look at the real richest counties in the country. These counties stand out because they combine strong incomes with relatively affordable living, allowing residents to get more value from their earnings. The list is ranked by median household income adjusted for cost of living, from lowest to highest.

10. Carver County, Minnesota

Carver County, Minnesota, sits just 20 miles southwest of the Twin Cities and offers a mix of suburban living and rural charm. With 125 lakes, including Lake Waconia, and scenic areas like Carver Park Reserve and the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, it’s a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. The county has grown rapidly since the 1980s, with many residents commuting to the metro for work in manufacturing, health care, and retail.

Strong incomes and lower living costs help keep poverty low—just 4.8%, well under state and national rates. Over half of adults hold a bachelor’s degree, and top-rated public schools make the area popular with families. Cities like Chanhassen and Chaska are standout places to live. Despite high incomes, housing remains relatively affordable, with a median home value of $456,700 and incomes nearly 60% above the U.S. average.

9. Williamson County, Tennessee

While Nashville is known for its relatively low cost of living, that doesn’t quite apply to nearby Williamson County, located in the southwestern edge of the metro area. Greater Nashville, including cities like Franklin and Murfreesboro, has a cost of living just 5.2% above the national average, but Williamson stands out for its affluence—and higher expenses. Median household income here is more than twice the state average, though it adjusts down to just under $118,000 when factoring in cost of living.

Tennessee’s lack of income, estate, or inheritance taxes helps residents keep more of their earnings, despite a high combined sales tax rate of 9.56%. Williamson County ranks 9th on our list of the real richest counties thanks to strong incomes, high educational attainment—63% hold at least a bachelor’s degree—and a low poverty rate of 5.7%. Housing is the biggest expense, with a median home value of $777,800, about 46% above the national median.

8. Falls Church City, Virginia

Falls Church, Virginia, just outside Washington, D.C., is a historic and highly educated city, with nearly 64% of residents holding a college degree and over 17% born abroad. Its prime location and strong job market attract high earners.

But high costs take a toll—living expenses are 21.2% above average, and the median home value exceeds $1 million. Adjusted for cost of living, median income drops significantly, pushing Falls Church to 8th place in our rankings.

7. Prince William County, Virginia

The D.C. area, including Prince William County (PWC), draws highly educated professionals in search of top-tier careers. PWC, located southeast of the capital and surrounding Manassas and Manassas Park, stands out for offering strong incomes with moderate living costs.

Median household income is 63% above the national average, while the cost of living is only 6% higher. Virginia’s 2025 income tax ranges from 2% to 5.75%, and residents are expected to receive another state tax rebate.

6. Delaware County, Ohio

Delaware County, just north of Columbus, Ohio, consistently ranks among the wealthiest U.S. counties. Median household income is nearly double both the national and state averages, while the cost of living remains modest—just 5.3% above the U.S. average. This balance boosts Delaware to 6th place in our rankings when adjusted for living costs.

Housing is relatively affordable for a wealthy county, with a median home value of $460,600 and total housing costs in the Columbus area 13.5% below the national average. Ohio taxes most retirement income, but offers property tax relief for seniors, exempting up to $28,000 of a home’s value for those 65 and older.

5. Los Alamos County, New Mexico

Los Alamos County, New Mexico—just 35 miles from Santa Fe—has one of the highest concentrations of millionaires among small U.S. cities. Home to a major nuclear research lab, the area attracts highly educated scientists and engineers, resulting in exceptionally high incomes. Even after adjusting for its elevated cost of living, Los Alamos ranks among the nation’s richest counties.

The poverty rate is just 2.9%, far below the state average of 18.1%. Homes average $452,500—well under the national median—and property taxes are low, with an effective rate of 0.6%. Seniors 65+ can freeze their home’s tax valuation, further easing the cost of living.

4. Douglas County, Colorado

Douglas County, Colorado, located between Denver and Colorado Springs, boasts a median household income nearly twice the U.S. average. But high living costs—17.1% above average—reduce that income by over $21,000 when adjusted.

Housing is the biggest expense, with a median home value of $725,500—more than double the national figure. Colorado’s flat income tax is 4.4%, and thanks to the TABOR law, residents may receive tax refunds when state revenue exceeds limits. The county remains affluent and well-educated, with low poverty levels.

3. Stafford County, Virginia

Stafford County, Virginia, sits about 40 minutes from Washington, D.C., offering proximity to the city with lower living costs—just 4.7% above the national average. Despite being in a wealthy metro area, this affordability boosts its ranking among America’s richest counties.

While it ranks 18th by raw income, Stafford jumps to 3rd when adjusted for cost of living. Housing remains relatively manageable, with a median home value of $492,500—only 30% above the state median, thanks to steady new construction.

2. Forsyth County, Georgia

Forsyth County, a rapidly growing suburb and exurb of Atlanta, benefits from a strong job market and a cost of living just 4.8% above the national average. This balance lets residents enjoy six-figure median incomes without excessive expenses.

Georgia’s flat income tax rate is 5.49%, with favorable rules for retirees exempting Social Security and partially taxing pensions and retirement accounts. New housing growth has kept the median home value at $587,300—almost double the state median but still affordable compared to many wealthy counties nationwide.

1. Loudoun County, Virginia

Loudoun County remains the richest county in the U.S. even after adjusting for a cost of living 13% above the national average. With a median household income over $173,000—nearly $37,000 higher than its closest competitor—Loudoun’s adjusted income still outpaces Stafford by more than $23,500.

Loudoun’s wealth traces back to the 1960s with the opening of Dulles International Airport, attracting businesses and fueling growth in high-tech jobs. Major employers include Northrop Grumman and Raytheon, along with numerous Amazon data centers. Housing costs are steep, with a median home value of $734,700—almost double Virginia’s median. The county’s workforce is highly educated (62% hold a bachelor’s degree or higher) and diverse, with 28.4% foreign-born—twice the state average—and nearly a third speaking a language other than English at home.