Where Incomes Increased and Decreased – 2026 Study

Inflation erodes purchasing power by pushing up the cost of everyday goods and services. In many U.S. cities, median household income has outpaced inflation by a wide margin, offsetting the impact of rising costs. In others, however, residents are falling far enough behind to intensify the squeeze on household budgets.

SmartAsset ranked 94 major population centers in the United States — cities and census-designated places with 250,000 or more residents — based on the percent change in median household income over the most recent two-year period for which data was available. The share of households earning $200,000 per year or more in each city was also calculated. The results show where personal finances gained the most ground against rising prices and where income growth failed to keep up.

Key Findings

Income increased in two-thirds of the places analyzed. Sixty-three of the 94 communities included in the study had positive year-over-year income growth after adjusting for inflation.
Western communities posted the biggest income gains. Enterprise, Nevada, ranks No. 1 in the study. There, median household income increased an estimated 18% after inflation, rising from $93,905 to $111,128. Anaheim, California, and Henderson, Nevada, followed.
The Twin Cities ranked near the bottom. St. Paul, Minnesota, ranked last, with an 8% income decline after adjusting for inflation. Minneapolis, meanwhile, had a 7% inflation-adjusted decline, placing it No. 93 in the study.
Texas cities show divergent income trends. The 14 Texas cities evaluated in the study varied widely, ranging from No. 6 Lubbock, where median income rose 11% after adjusting for inflation, to Austin, where median income declined 4%.
California leads for high-income households. The three cities with the highest share of high-income households — those earning $200,000 or more annually — are in the Golden State. San Jose leads, with 38% of households in that income range.

Cities Ranked by Estimated Income Change

Enterprise, Nevada

2024 median household income: $111,128
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $93,905
2023 median household income (actual): $91,225
Year-over-year change: 18.3%
Note: Change is statistically significant at the 90% confidence level or higher.

Anaheim, California

2024 median household income: $101,145
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $87,365
2023 median household income (actual): $84,872
Year-over-year change: 15.8%
Note: Change is statistically significant at the 90% confidence level or higher.

Henderson, Nevada

2024 median household income: $95,415
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $84,899
2023 median household income (actual): $82,476
Year-over-year change: 12.4%
Note: Change is statistically significant at the 90% confidence level or higher.

Tampa, Florida

2024 median household income: $84,114
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $74,991
2023 median household income (actual): $72,851
Year-over-year change: 12.2%
Note: Change is statistically significant at the 90% confidence level or higher.

Port St. Lucie, Florida

2024 median household income: $86,241
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $77,129
2023 median household income (actual): $74,928
Year-over-year change: 11.8%
Note: Change is statistically significant at the 90% confidence level or higher.

Lubbock, Texas

2024 median household income: $62,360
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $56,051
2023 median household income (actual): $54,451
Year-over-year change: 11.3%
Note: Change is statistically significant at the 90% confidence level or higher.

Irvine, California

2024 median household income: $145,731
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $131,749
2023 median household income (actual): $127,989
Year-over-year change: 10.6%
Note: Change is statistically significant at the 90% confidence level or higher.

Madison, Wisconsin

2024 median household income: $79,254
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $72,555
2023 median household income (actual): $70,484
Year-over-year change: 9.2%
Note: Change is statistically significant at the 90% confidence level or higher.

Buffalo, New York

2024 median household income: $52,211
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $47,823
2023 median household income (actual): $46,458
Year-over-year change: 9.2%
Note: Change is statistically significant at the 90% confidence level or higher.

Long Beach, California

2024 median household income: $91,318
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $84,004
2023 median household income (actual): $81,606
Year-over-year change: 8.7%
Note: Change is statistically significant at the 90% confidence level or higher.

Orlando, Florida

2024 median household income: $77,597
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $71,453
2023 median household income (actual): $69,414
Year-over-year change: 8.6%
Note: Change is suggestive at the 80% to 89.9% confidence level.

Anchorage, Alaska

2024 median household income: $105,356
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $97,211
2023 median household income (actual): $94,437
Year-over-year change: 8.4%
Note: Change is suggestive at the 80% to 89.9% confidence level.

Cleveland, Ohio

2024 median household income: $43,383
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $40,188
2023 median household income (actual): $39,041
Year-over-year change: 8.0%
Note: Change is suggestive at the 80% to 89.9% confidence level.

Santa Ana, California

2024 median household income: $95,118
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $88,438
2023 median household income (actual): $85,914
Year-over-year change: 7.6%
Note: Change is not statistically significant at the 70% confidence level.

Jersey City, New Jersey

2024 median household income: $100,751
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $93,968
2023 median household income (actual): $91,286
Year-over-year change: 7.2%
Note: Change is suggestive at the 80% to 89.9% confidence level.

San Francisco, California

2024 median household income: $139,801
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $130,453
2023 median household income (actual): $126,730
Year-over-year change: 7.2%
Note: Change is statistically significant at the 90% confidence level or higher.

Fresno, California

2024 median household income: $74,491
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $69,589
2023 median household income (actual): $67,603
Year-over-year change: 7.0%
Note: Change is suggestive at the 80% to 89.9% confidence level.

Louisville, Kentucky

2024 median household income: $67,251
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $63,294
2023 median household income (actual): $61,488
Year-over-year change: 6.3%
Note: Change is suggestive at the 80% to 89.9% confidence level.

Toledo, Ohio

2024 median household income: $50,562
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $47,662
2023 median household income (actual): $46,302
Year-over-year change: 6.1%
Note: Change is suggestive at the 80% to 89.9% confidence level.

San Jose, California

2024 median household income: $148,226
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $140,231
2023 median household income (actual): $136,229
Year-over-year change: 5.7%
Note: Change is statistically significant at the 90% confidence level or higher.

Baltimore, Maryland

2024 median household income: $64,778
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $61,329
2023 median household income (actual): $59,579
Year-over-year change: 5.6%
Note: Change provides limited directional evidence at the 70% to 79.9% confidence level.

Newark, New Jersey

2024 median household income: $58,490
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $55,399
2023 median household income (actual): $53,818
Year-over-year change: 5.6%
Note: Change is not statistically significant at the 70% confidence level.

Tucson, Arizona

2024 median household income: $60,483
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $57,345
2023 median household income (actual): $55,708
Year-over-year change: 5.5%
Note: Change is suggestive at the 80% to 89.9% confidence level.

Chicago, Illinois

2024 median household income: $80,613
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $76,662
2023 median household income (actual): $74,474
Year-over-year change: 5.2%
Note: Change is statistically significant at the 90% confidence level or higher.

Mesa, Arizona

2024 median household income: $85,580
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $81,470
2023 median household income (actual): $79,145
Year-over-year change: 5.0%
Note: Change provides limited directional evidence at the 70% to 79.9% confidence level.

Columbus, Ohio

2024 median household income: $67,084
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $64,182
2023 median household income (actual): $62,350
Year-over-year change: 4.5%
Note: Change is suggestive at the 80% to 89.9% confidence level.

Fort Wayne, Indiana

2024 median household income: $61,436
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $58,817
2023 median household income (actual): $57,138
Year-over-year change: 4.5%
Note: Change is not statistically significant at the 70% confidence level.

Arlington, Texas

2024 median household income: $74,388
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $71,241
2023 median household income (actual): $69,208
Year-over-year change: 4.4%
Note: Change provides limited directional evidence at the 70% to 79.9% confidence level.

Wichita, Kansas

2024 median household income: $65,855
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $63,081
2023 median household income (actual): $61,281
Year-over-year change: 4.4%
Note: Change provides limited directional evidence at the 70% to 79.9% confidence level.

Kansas City, Missouri

2024 median household income: $69,958
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $67,141
2023 median household income (actual): $65,225
Year-over-year change: 4.2%
Note: Change provides limited directional evidence at the 70% to 79.9% confidence level.

Charlotte, North Carolina

2024 median household income: $86,416
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $82,948
2023 median household income (actual): $80,581
Year-over-year change: 4.2%
Note: Change is statistically significant at the 90% confidence level or higher.

Glendale, Arizona

2024 median household income: $75,711
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $72,674
2023 median household income (actual): $70,600
Year-over-year change: 4.2%
Note: Change is not statistically significant at the 70% confidence level.

Tulsa, Oklahoma

2024 median household income: $60,930
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $58,490
2023 median household income (actual): $56,821
Year-over-year change: 4.2%
Note: Change is statistically significant at the 90% confidence level or higher.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

2024 median household income: $56,792
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $54,549
2023 median household income (actual): $52,992
Year-over-year change: 4.1%
Note: Change provides limited directional evidence at the 70% to 79.9% confidence level.

Fort Worth, Texas

2024 median household income: $82,503
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $79,347
2023 median household income (actual): $77,082
Year-over-year change: 4.0%
Note: Change is suggestive at the 80% to 89.9% confidence level.

Phoenix, Arizona

2024 median household income: $85,246
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $82,004
2023 median household income (actual): $79,664
Year-over-year change: 4.0%
Note: Change is statistically significant at the 90% confidence level or higher.

Irving, Texas

2024 median household income: $84,849
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $81,666
2023 median household income (actual): $79,335
Year-over-year change: 3.9%
Note: Change is not statistically significant at the 70% confidence level.

Plano, Texas

2024 median household income: $115,901
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $111,784
2023 median household income (actual): $108,594
Year-over-year change: 3.7%
Note: Change is not statistically significant at the 70% confidence level.

Reno, Nevada

2024 median household income: $85,605
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $82,726
2023 median household income (actual): $80,365
Year-over-year change: 3.5%
Note: Change is not statistically significant at the 70% confidence level.

Las Vegas, Nevada

2024 median household income: $78,556
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $75,952
2023 median household income (actual): $73,784
Year-over-year change: 3.4%
Note: Change is not statistically significant at the 70% confidence level.

Sacramento, California

2024 median household income: $91,387
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $88,452
2023 median household income (actual): $85,928
Year-over-year change: 3.3%
Note: Change is not statistically significant at the 70% confidence level.

Jacksonville, Florida

2024 median household income: $72,389
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $70,069
2023 median household income (actual): $68,069
Year-over-year change: 3.3%
Note: Change provides limited directional evidence at the 70% to 79.9% confidence level.

Portland, Oregon

2024 median household income: $91,478
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $88,585
2023 median household income (actual): $86,057
Year-over-year change: 3.3%
Note: Change is not statistically significant at the 70% confidence level.

San Antonio, Texas

2024 median household income: $66,176
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $64,153
2023 median household income (actual): $62,322
Year-over-year change: 3.2%
Note: Change is suggestive at the 80% to 89.9% confidence level.

New York, New York

2024 median household income: $81,228
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $78,827
2023 median household income (actual): $76,577
Year-over-year change: 3.0%
Note: Change is statistically significant at the 90% confidence level or higher.

Dallas, Texas

2024 median household income: $74,323
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $72,181
2023 median household income (actual): $70,121
Year-over-year change: 3.0%
Note: Change provides limited directional evidence at the 70% to 79.9% confidence level.

New Orleans, Louisiana

2024 median household income: $58,821
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $57,213
2023 median household income (actual): $55,580
Year-over-year change: 2.8%
Note: Change is not statistically significant at the 70% confidence level.

Lincoln, Nebraska

2024 median household income: $72,008
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $70,049
2023 median household income (actual): $68,050
Year-over-year change: 2.8%
Note: Change is not statistically significant at the 70% confidence level.

Garland, Texas

2024 median household income: $75,797
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $73,836
2023 median household income (actual): $71,729
Year-over-year change: 2.7%
Note: Change is not statistically significant at the 70% confidence level.

Oakland, California

2024 median household income: $102,235
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $99,673
2023 median household income (actual): $96,828
Year-over-year change: 2.6%
Note: Change is not statistically significant at the 70% confidence level.

Lexington, Kentucky

2024 median household income: $69,989
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $68,343
2023 median household income (actual): $66,392
Year-over-year change: 2.4%
Note: Change is not statistically significant at the 70% confidence level.

Albuquerque, New Mexico

2024 median household income: $71,494
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $69,902
2023 median household income (actual): $67,907
Year-over-year change: 2.3%
Note: Change is not statistically significant at the 70% confidence level.

Aurora, Colorado

2024 median household income: $93,837
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $91,924
2023 median household income (actual): $89,300
Year-over-year change: 2.1%
Note: Change is not statistically significant at the 70% confidence level.

San Diego, California

2024 median household income: $111,032
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $108,888
2023 median household income (actual): $105,780
Year-over-year change: 2.0%
Note: Change is not statistically significant at the 70% confidence level.

Cincinnati, Ohio

2024 median household income: $56,910
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $55,910
2023 median household income (actual): $54,314
Year-over-year change: 1.8%
Note: Change is not statistically significant at the 70% confidence level.

Chandler, Arizona

2024 median household income: $110,284
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $108,489
2023 median household income (actual): $105,393
Year-over-year change: 1.7%
Note: Change is not statistically significant at the 70% confidence level.

El Paso, Texas

2024 median household income: $59,932
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $59,001
2023 median household income (actual): $57,317
Year-over-year change: 1.6%
Note: Change is not statistically significant at the 70% confidence level.

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

2024 median household income: $70,040
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $68,984
2023 median household income (actual): $67,015
Year-over-year change: 1.5%
Note: Change is not statistically significant at the 70% confidence level.

Virginia Beach, Virginia

2024 median household income: $94,579
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $93,819
2023 median household income (actual): $91,141
Year-over-year change: 0.8%
Note: Change is not statistically significant at the 70% confidence level.

Durham, North Carolina

2024 median household income: $82,916
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $82,416
2023 median household income (actual): $80,064
Year-over-year change: 0.6%
Note: Change is not statistically significant at the 70% confidence level.

Bakersfield, California

2024 median household income: $82,093
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $81,686
2023 median household income (actual): $79,355
Year-over-year change: 0.5%
Note: Change is not statistically significant at the 70% confidence level.

Los Angeles, California

2024 median household income: $82,263
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $82,043
2023 median household income (actual): $79,701
Year-over-year change: 0.3%
Note: Change is not statistically significant at the 70% confidence level.

Stockton, California

2024 median household income: $78,627
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $78,429
2023 median household income (actual): $76,191
Year-over-year change: 0.3%
Note: Change is not statistically significant at the 70% confidence level.

Detroit, Michigan

2024 median household income: $39,209
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $39,199
2023 median household income (actual): $38,080
Year-over-year change: 0.0%
Note: Change is not statistically significant at the 70% confidence level.

Greensboro, North Carolina

2024 median household income: $63,516
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $63,561
2023 median household income (actual): $61,747
Year-over-year change: -0.1%
Note: Change is not statistically significant at the 70% confidence level.

Corpus Christi, Texas

2024 median household income: $66,967
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $67,052
2023 median household income (actual): $65,138
Year-over-year change: -0.1%
Note: Change is not statistically significant at the 70% confidence level.

Houston, Texas

2024 median household income: $64,361
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $64,477
2023 median household income (actual): $62,637
Year-over-year change: -0.2%
Note: Change is not statistically significant at the 70% confidence level.

Atlanta, Georgia

2024 median household income: $88,165
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $88,403
2023 median household income (actual): $85,880
Year-over-year change: -0.3%
Note: Change is not statistically significant at the 70% confidence level.

Memphis, Tennessee

2024 median household income: $52,679
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $52,909
2023 median household income (actual): $51,399
Year-over-year change: -0.4%
Note: Change is not statistically significant at the 70% confidence level.

Riverside, California

2024 median household income: $90,004
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $90,765
2023 median household income (actual): $88,175
Year-over-year change: -0.8%
Note: Change is not statistically significant at the 70% confidence level.

Gilbert, Arizona

2024 median household income: $124,968
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $126,042
2023 median household income (actual): $122,445
Year-over-year change: -0.9%
Note: Change is not statistically significant at the 70% confidence level.

St. Petersburg, Florida

2024 median household income: $73,048
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $73,851
2023 median household income (actual): $71,743
Year-over-year change: -1.1%
Note: Change is not statistically significant at the 70% confidence level.

Honolulu, Hawaii

2024 median household income: $86,169
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $87,401
2023 median household income (actual): $84,907
Year-over-year change: -1.4%
Note: Change is not statistically significant at the 70% confidence level.

Washington, District of Columbia

2024 median household income: $109,707
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $111,389
2023 median household income (actual): $108,210
Year-over-year change: -1.5%
Note: Change is not statistically significant at the 70% confidence level.

Laredo, Texas

2024 median household income: $61,519
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $62,504
2023 median household income (actual): $60,720
Year-over-year change: -1.6%
Note: Change is not statistically significant at the 70% confidence level.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

2024 median household income: $66,954
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $68,164
2023 median household income (actual): $66,219
Year-over-year change: -1.8%
Note: Change is not statistically significant at the 70% confidence level.

Boston, Massachusetts

2024 median household income: $97,791
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $99,779
2023 median household income (actual): $96,931
Year-over-year change: -2.0%
Note: Change is not statistically significant at the 70% confidence level.

Omaha, Nebraska

2024 median household income: $71,640
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $73,331
2023 median household income (actual): $71,238
Year-over-year change: -2.3%
Note: Change is not statistically significant at the 70% confidence level.

Colorado Springs, Colorado

2024 median household income: $83,672
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $85,660
2023 median household income (actual): $83,215
Year-over-year change: -2.3%
Note: Change is not statistically significant at the 70% confidence level.

Indianapolis, Indiana

2024 median household income: $66,900
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $68,586
2023 median household income (actual): $66,629
Year-over-year change: -2.5%
Note: Change is not statistically significant at the 70% confidence level.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

2024 median household income: $60,521
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $62,074
2023 median household income (actual): $60,302
Year-over-year change: -2.5%
Note: Change provides limited directional evidence at the 70% to 79.9% confidence level.

North Las Vegas, Nevada

2024 median household income: $78,969
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $81,268
2023 median household income (actual): $78,949
Year-over-year change: -2.8%
Note: Change is not statistically significant at the 70% confidence level.

Nashville, Tennessee

2024 median household income: $80,090
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $82,574
2023 median household income (actual): $80,217
Year-over-year change: -3.0%
Note: Change is not statistically significant at the 70% confidence level.

Austin, Texas

2024 median household income: $90,430
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $94,189
2023 median household income (actual): $91,501
Year-over-year change: -4.0%
Note: Change is suggestive at the 80% to 89.9% confidence level.

Chula Vista, California

2024 median household income: $105,101
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $109,755
2023 median household income (actual): $106,623
Year-over-year change: -4.2%
Note: Change is not statistically significant at the 70% confidence level.

Raleigh, North Carolina

2024 median household income: $85,060
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $88,845
2023 median household income (actual): $86,309
Year-over-year change: -4.3%
Note: Change is not statistically significant at the 70% confidence level.

Seattle, Washington

2024 median household income: $118,745
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $124,151
2023 median household income (actual): $120,608
Year-over-year change: -4.4%
Note: Change provides limited directional evidence at the 70% to 79.9% confidence level.

Denver, Colorado

2024 median household income: $92,504
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $96,923
2023 median household income (actual): $94,157
Year-over-year change: -4.6%
Note: Change is suggestive at the 80% to 89.9% confidence level.

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

2024 median household income: $57,758
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $60,928
2023 median household income (actual): $59,189
Year-over-year change: -5.2%
Note: Change is not statistically significant at the 70% confidence level.

Miami, Florida

2024 median household income: $66,337
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $70,651
2023 median household income (actual): $68,635
Year-over-year change: -6.1%
Note: Change is suggestive at the 80% to 89.9% confidence level.

Chesapeake, Virginia

2024 median household income: $89,265
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $95,354
2023 median household income (actual): $92,633
Year-over-year change: -6.4%
Note: Change is not statistically significant at the 70% confidence level.

Minneapolis, Minnesota

2024 median household income: $77,732
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $83,381
2023 median household income (actual): $81,001
Year-over-year change: -6.8%
Note: Change is statistically significant at the 90% confidence level or higher.

St. Louis, Missouri

2024 median household income: $53,374
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $57,897
2023 median household income (actual): $56,245
Year-over-year change: -7.8%
Note: Change provides limited directional evidence at the 70% to 79.9% confidence level.

St. Paul, Minnesota

2024 median household income: $70,182
2023 median household income (inflation-adjusted): $76,148
2023 median household income (actual): $73,975
Year-over-year change: -7.8%
Note: Change is suggestive at the 80% to 89.9% confidence level.

Methodology

The 2024 and 2023 U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 1-year estimates, the most recent years for which data was available, for 94 places with 2024 populations of at least 250,000 were analyzed. To enable a real year-over-year comparison, 2023 income estimates and margins of error were converted to 2024 dollars using an adjustment factor of 1.029. Places were ranked by the estimated inflation-adjusted percentage change in median household income. Statistical tests incorporated each year’s published margin of error; changes meeting the 90% confidence threshold were identified as statistically significant, while 80% and 70% thresholds were presented as supplemental indicators of suggestive or limited directional evidence. Results reflect changes between annual ACS estimates, which have overlapping reference periods, rather than exact calendar-year income changes. The share of households earning $200,000 or more is presented as a supplemental point estimate and should be interpreted with caution because its margin of error was not evaluated. Source data providers are not affiliated with, and do not endorse or sponsor, this study or its findings.