{"id":2991,"date":"2026-02-15T20:26:19","date_gmt":"2026-02-15T20:26:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/?p=2991"},"modified":"2026-02-15T20:26:19","modified_gmt":"2026-02-15T20:26:19","slug":"how-much-money-you-need-to-earn-per-year-to-be-rich-in-each-us-state","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/?p=2991","title":{"rendered":"How much money you need to earn per year to be &#8216;rich&#8217; in each US state"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<aside class=\"single__inline-module alignleft wp-block-nypost-editor-partner-article-links\">\n<\/aside>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2025\/11\/01\/lifestyle\/this-is-the-insane-amount-of-money-you-need-to-make-to-be-in-new-yorks-top-5\/\">Being \u201crich\u201d<\/a> \u2014 or in the top 10% of household earners in the US \u2014 looks very different\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.realtor.com\/news\/trends\/map-earn-income-home-purchase-every-state\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">depending on your state<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Earning $200,000 a year in the state with the lowest threshold \u2014 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.realtor.com\/realestateandhomes-search\/West-Virginia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">West Virginia<\/a> \u2014 means you are living large, according to a report from\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.voronoiapp.com\/wealth\/What-it-takes-to-reach-the-top-10-in-every-state-7638#dataset\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Visual Capitalist<\/a>. Meanwhile, earning that same amount in Washington, DC \u2014 the area with the highest threshold \u2014 might mean you can barely pay your bills.<\/p>\n<p>In general, a household needs to earn between $198,000 and $387,000 in annual income to be considered among the top 10% earners.<\/p>\n<p>But the District of Columbia is an anomaly: To be\u00a0<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.realtor.com\/news\/trends\/generational-wealth-transfer-sothebys-luxury-report-2025\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">considered rich<\/a>\u00a0here, you\u2019d need to earn a whopping $635,000 yearly.<\/p>\n<p>The top 10 states and DC where it takes the most money to be considered wealthy are, in order, the District of Columbia,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.realtor.com\/realestateandhomes-search\/Massachusetts\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Massachusetts<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.realtor.com\/realestateandhomes-search\/Connecticut\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Connecticut<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.realtor.com\/realestateandhomes-search\/New-Jersey\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">New Jersey<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.realtor.com\/realestateandhomes-search\/Washington\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Washington<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.realtor.com\/realestateandhomes-search\/New-York\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">New York<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.realtor.com\/realestateandhomes-search\/Hawaii\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Hawaii<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.realtor.com\/realestateandhomes-search\/Alaska\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Alaska<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.realtor.com\/realestateandhomes-search\/California\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">California<\/a>, and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.realtor.com\/realestateandhomes-search\/Maryland\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Maryland<\/a>\u00a0(tied) and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.realtor.com\/realestateandhomes-search\/Rhode-Island\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Rhode Island<\/a>\u00a0(tied).<\/p>\n<p>Visual Capitalist used information from Germany-based tax platform\u00a0<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.buchhaltungsbutler.de\/study-rich-in-usa\/\">BuchhaltungsButler<\/a>\u00a0and the Berlin-based data studio\u00a0DataPulse Research, which crunched gross (pre-tax) household income numbers from the United States Census Bureau across all 50 states and the District of Columbia.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Being rich won\u2019t necessarily buy your dream home<\/h2>\n<p>\u201cAffordability differences are especially clear at the state level,\u201d says\u00a0Hannah Jones, senior economic research analyst at\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/realtor.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Realtor.com\u00ae<\/a>. \u201cIn the nation\u2019s most expensive housing markets, Hawaii, New York, California, and Massachusetts, a $200,000 income would make only about 50% to 55% of homes affordable.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><button class=\"button button--modal-trigger\" aria-label=\"Open the image in a modal.\" data-modal-image=\"38499759\"><br \/>\n\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"icon-plus\" fill=\"#fff\" viewbox=\"0 0 1033 1000\" width=\"1em\" height=\"1em\"><path d=\"M380 364V0h273v355h380v290H653v355H380V645H0V355h380v9z\"\/><\/svg><br \/>\n<\/button><br \/>\n<img fetchpriority=\"high\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.49926794;display:block\" decoding=\"async\" data-modal-image=\"38499759\" width=\"885\" height=\"590\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/luxury-waterfront-homes-greenwich-connecticut-121394219.jpg?w=1024\" alt=\"A sailboat on the water in front of luxurious waterfront homes in Greenwich, Connecticut.\" class=\"wp-image-38499759\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/luxury-waterfront-homes-greenwich-connecticut-121394219.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all 5805w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/luxury-waterfront-homes-greenwich-connecticut-121394219.jpg?resize=300,200&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 300w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/luxury-waterfront-homes-greenwich-connecticut-121394219.jpg?resize=768,512&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 768w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/luxury-waterfront-homes-greenwich-connecticut-121394219.jpg?resize=1024,683&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 1024w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/luxury-waterfront-homes-greenwich-connecticut-121394219.jpg?resize=1536,1024&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 1536w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/luxury-waterfront-homes-greenwich-connecticut-121394219.jpg?resize=2048,1365&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 2048w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/luxury-waterfront-homes-greenwich-connecticut-121394219.jpg?resize=600,400&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 600w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/luxury-waterfront-homes-greenwich-connecticut-121394219.jpg?resize=878,585&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 878w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/luxury-waterfront-homes-greenwich-connecticut-121394219.jpg?resize=744,496&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 744w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/luxury-waterfront-homes-greenwich-connecticut-121394219.jpg?resize=720,480&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 720w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/luxury-waterfront-homes-greenwich-connecticut-121394219.jpg?resize=576,384&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 576w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/luxury-waterfront-homes-greenwich-connecticut-121394219.jpg?resize=457,305&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 457w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/luxury-waterfront-homes-greenwich-connecticut-121394219.jpg?resize=440,293&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 440w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/luxury-waterfront-homes-greenwich-connecticut-121394219.jpg?resize=424,282&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 424w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/luxury-waterfront-homes-greenwich-connecticut-121394219.jpg?resize=389,260&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 389w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/luxury-waterfront-homes-greenwich-connecticut-121394219.jpg?resize=360,240&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 360w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/luxury-waterfront-homes-greenwich-connecticut-121394219.jpg?resize=340,227&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 340w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/luxury-waterfront-homes-greenwich-connecticut-121394219.jpg?resize=320,213&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 320w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/luxury-waterfront-homes-greenwich-connecticut-121394219.jpg?resize=314,209&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 314w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/luxury-waterfront-homes-greenwich-connecticut-121394219.jpg?resize=306,204&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 306w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/luxury-waterfront-homes-greenwich-connecticut-121394219.jpg?resize=280,187&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 280w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/luxury-waterfront-homes-greenwich-connecticut-121394219.jpg?resize=260,174&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 260w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/luxury-waterfront-homes-greenwich-connecticut-121394219.jpg?resize=246,164&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 246w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/luxury-waterfront-homes-greenwich-connecticut-121394219.jpg?resize=234,156&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 234w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/luxury-waterfront-homes-greenwich-connecticut-121394219.jpg?resize=195,130&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 195w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/luxury-waterfront-homes-greenwich-connecticut-121394219.jpg?resize=180,120&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 180w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/luxury-waterfront-homes-greenwich-connecticut-121394219.jpg?resize=171,114&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 171w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/luxury-waterfront-homes-greenwich-connecticut-121394219.jpg?resize=160,107&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 160w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/luxury-waterfront-homes-greenwich-connecticut-121394219.jpg?resize=144,96&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 144w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/luxury-waterfront-homes-greenwich-connecticut-121394219.jpg?resize=107,71&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 107w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/luxury-waterfront-homes-greenwich-connecticut-121394219.jpg?resize=93,62&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 93w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/luxury-waterfront-homes-greenwich-connecticut-121394219.jpg?resize=84,56&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 84w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/luxury-waterfront-homes-greenwich-connecticut-121394219.jpg?resize=60,40&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 60w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/luxury-waterfront-homes-greenwich-connecticut-121394219.jpg?resize=105,70&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 105w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/luxury-waterfront-homes-greenwich-connecticut-121394219.jpg?resize=81,54&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 81w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/luxury-waterfront-homes-greenwich-connecticut-121394219.jpg?resize=200,133&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 200w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/luxury-waterfront-homes-greenwich-connecticut-121394219.jpg?resize=231,154&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 231w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/luxury-waterfront-homes-greenwich-connecticut-121394219.jpg?resize=322,215&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 322w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/luxury-waterfront-homes-greenwich-connecticut-121394219.jpg?resize=662,441&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 662w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/luxury-waterfront-homes-greenwich-connecticut-121394219.jpg?resize=90,60&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 90w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/luxury-waterfront-homes-greenwich-connecticut-121394219.jpg?resize=120,80&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 120w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/luxury-waterfront-homes-greenwich-connecticut-121394219.jpg?resize=1200,800&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 1200w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/luxury-waterfront-homes-greenwich-connecticut-121394219.jpg?resize=1038,692&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 1038w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/luxury-waterfront-homes-greenwich-connecticut-121394219.jpg?resize=87,58&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 87w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/luxury-waterfront-homes-greenwich-connecticut-121394219.jpg?resize=50,33&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 50w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/luxury-waterfront-homes-greenwich-connecticut-121394219.jpg?resize=150,100&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 885px) 100vw, 885px\"\/><figcaption>Connecticut residents need to earn\u00a0$344,400 a year to be considered rich, according to a new study. <span class=\"credit\">kirkikis \u2013 stock.adobe.com<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cThe Northeast, in particular, continues to see strong housing demand driven by several major economic hubs,\u201d explains Jones. \u201cYet inventory has struggled to keep pace, largely due to years of limited new construction. As a result, home prices in the Northeast remain elevated compared with most other regions.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHigh income does not equal high buying power in luxury coastal Connecticut,\u201d says\u00a0Evangela Brock\u00a0of Douglas Elliman, who\u2019s based in\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.realtor.com\/realestateandhomes-search\/Greenwich_CT\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Greenwich, CT<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Indeed, a $200,000 salary in No. 3-ranked Connecticut would make only about 73% of listings affordable\u2014versus 96% in last-ranked West\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.realtor.com\/realestateandhomes-search\/Virginia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Virginia<\/a>, according to Realtor.com data.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"single__inline-module alignright\">\n\t<\/aside>\n<p>Brock notes that high-earning clients in the hedge fund, private equity, finance C-suite, medical, legal, and business worlds are still \u201cprice-sensitive\u201d when home shopping in the costly Nutmeg State.<\/p>\n<p>She attributes this to the state\u2019s high taxes. A buyer needs to consider not only their mortgage payments but also their yearly property taxes<\/p>\n<p>\u201cA $3 million to $4 million home here is not unusual for a four-bedroom in a prime neighborhood, but annual taxes alone can exceed $40,000 to $70,000, depending on the town,\u201d she explains.<\/p>\n<p>As always, location matters.<\/p>\n<p>Brock ticks off Greenwich,\u00a0<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.realtor.com\/realestateandhomes-search\/Darien_CT\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Darien<\/a>, New Canaan, and Westport as the most coveted towns for high earners. Properties in these ritzy ZIP codes will cost you far more than in, say, Hartford or Bridgeport.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAt this level, it\u2019s not just about income,\u201d she says. \u201cIt\u2019s about lifestyle, reputation, and long-term value.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Libby McKinney-Tritschler,\u00a0luxury properties specialist with Team AFA at William Raveis, notes that high-income earners in prime waterfront Connecticut \u201cearn well above $200,000 to $250,000 annually, which creates a buyer pool that is financially strong but also incredibly discerning.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Especially discerning are New York City commuters migrating to the bucolic state for a slower lifestyle, more community, better schools, and \u201clong-term roots.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\t<iframe src=\"https:\/\/flo.uri.sh\/visualisation\/27655631\/embed\" title=\"Interactive or visual content\" class=\"flourish-embed-iframe\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" style=\"width:100%;height:600px\" sandbox=\"allow-same-origin allow-forms allow-scripts allow-downloads allow-popups allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation\"><\/iframe>\n\t<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Manhattan: Tough even for millionaires<\/h2>\n<p>A hefty salary might roll out the red carpet in\u00a0<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.realtor.com\/news\/trends\/kansas-city-mo-top-metros-hottest-markets-ranking-january-2026\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Kansas<\/a>, but Manhattan co-op boards aren\u2019t so easily impressed. (New York is ranked No. 6.)<\/p>\n<p>New York City co-op boards are notorious for rejecting deep-pocketed potential buyers despite all-cash offers. Influencer\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.realtor.com\/news\/celebrity-real-estate\/olivia-dunne-new-york-city-apartment-babe-ruth-tiktok\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Livvy Dunne<\/a>\u00a0is the <a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2025\/07\/09\/real-estate\/why-nyc-co-ops-are-rejecting-influencers-like-livvy-dunne\/\">latest bold name to get a\u00a0<em>nope<\/em>\u00a0by a co-op board.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s not just that finicky co-op boards are legally allowed to reject applicants for any reason. The boards also want to see far more than a high salary.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIn New York City, it is not enough to have the money to purchase,\u201d\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhsusa.com\/agents\/lisa-k-lippman\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Lisa K. Lippman<\/a>\u00a0of Brown Harris Stevens explains to Realtor.com. \u201cWith cooperatives accounting for approximately 60% of our inventory, and 90% of the inventory near Central Park, buyers seeking a co-op often need to have multiples of the purchase price in order to be considered by the board.\u201d<\/p>\n<aside class=\"single__inline-module alignleft\">\n\t<\/aside>\n<p>Lippman names the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.realtor.com\/realestateandhomes-search\/Upper-East-Side_Manhattan_NY\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Upper East Side<\/a>\u00a0near Fifth Avenue (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.realtor.com\/news\/trends\/billionaires-row-loses-one-of-its-last-affordable-buildings\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Billionaires\u2019 Row<\/a>), the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.realtor.com\/realestateandhomes-search\/West-Village_Manhattan_NY\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">West Village<\/a>, and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.realtor.com\/news\/celebrity-real-estate\/john-f-kennedy-carolyn-bessette-fx-love-story-new-york-home\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tribeca<\/a>\u00a0as the most competitive neighborhoods \u2014 even for the rich.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/nyc.bhhsnyproperties.com\/real-estate-agent\/3025\/sonia-bendt\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sonia I. Christian-Bendt<\/a>\u00a0of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New York Properties agrees that cash is king. A top salary won\u2019t get you anywhere in certain Manhattan neighborhoods unless you\u2019ve put a hefty percentage of it into your savings account.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt is not just about the earnings, it is about liquidity,\u201d she says. \u201cFor the high-priced co-ops in New York City, \u00a0anywhere from 20% to 50% or even 100% is what boards look for in terms of cash to buy \u2014 plus a multiple of the purchase price in liquid assets.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>One of her clients, looking to buy a co-op on Sutton Place on the Upper East Side, was recently told she needed two years\u2019 worth of monthly maintenance in cash at closing. High-end co-ops can easily have a monthly maintenance fee of $10,000 \u2014 so a buyer would need an additional $240,000 in savings to get approved.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.coldwellbanker.com\/fl\/ponte-vedra-beach\/agents\/cara-ameer\/aid-P00200000FDdrbzxZmryhxLMxyulkAKmaO7eyL5M\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Cara Ameer<\/a>\u00a0of Coldwell Banker notes that California (No. 9) is not any better than the East Coast, depending on the area.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI have worked with couples where one is an educator and the other works in corporate, for example, and it\u2019s challenging to find a home that meets their needs that isn\u2019t a money pit,\u201d she tells Realtor.com. \u201cIn Orange County, a $1.5 million price point may seem like it should buy a nice home, but it\u2019s often something that needs work on some level.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><button class=\"button button--modal-trigger\" aria-label=\"Open the image in a modal.\" data-modal-image=\"38499757\"><br \/>\n\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"icon-plus\" fill=\"#fff\" viewbox=\"0 0 1033 1000\" width=\"1em\" height=\"1em\"><path d=\"M380 364V0h273v355h380v290H653v355H380V645H0V355h380v9z\"\/><\/svg><br \/>\n<\/button><br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.49707602;display:block\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-modal-image=\"38499757\" width=\"883\" height=\"590\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/beautiful-architecture-dupont-circle-121394234.jpg?w=1024\" alt=\"A row of brick apartment buildings in Dupont Circle, Washington D.C., including one with a conical turret.\" class=\"wp-image-38499757\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/beautiful-architecture-dupont-circle-121394234.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all 5595w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/beautiful-architecture-dupont-circle-121394234.jpg?resize=300,200&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 300w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/beautiful-architecture-dupont-circle-121394234.jpg?resize=768,513&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 768w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/beautiful-architecture-dupont-circle-121394234.jpg?resize=1024,684&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 1024w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/beautiful-architecture-dupont-circle-121394234.jpg?resize=1536,1025&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 1536w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/beautiful-architecture-dupont-circle-121394234.jpg?resize=2048,1367&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 2048w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/beautiful-architecture-dupont-circle-121394234.jpg?resize=600,400&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 600w, 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https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/beautiful-architecture-dupont-circle-121394234.jpg?resize=84,56&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 84w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/beautiful-architecture-dupont-circle-121394234.jpg?resize=60,40&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 60w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/beautiful-architecture-dupont-circle-121394234.jpg?resize=105,70&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 105w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/beautiful-architecture-dupont-circle-121394234.jpg?resize=81,54&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 81w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/beautiful-architecture-dupont-circle-121394234.jpg?resize=200,134&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 200w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/beautiful-architecture-dupont-circle-121394234.jpg?resize=231,154&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 231w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/beautiful-architecture-dupont-circle-121394234.jpg?resize=322,215&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 322w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/beautiful-architecture-dupont-circle-121394234.jpg?resize=661,441&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 661w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/beautiful-architecture-dupont-circle-121394234.jpg?resize=90,60&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 90w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/beautiful-architecture-dupont-circle-121394234.jpg?resize=120,80&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 120w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/beautiful-architecture-dupont-circle-121394234.jpg?resize=1200,801&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 1200w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/beautiful-architecture-dupont-circle-121394234.jpg?resize=1038,692&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 1038w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/beautiful-architecture-dupont-circle-121394234.jpg?resize=87,58&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 87w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/beautiful-architecture-dupont-circle-121394234.jpg?resize=50,33&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 50w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/beautiful-architecture-dupont-circle-121394234.jpg?resize=150,100&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 883px) 100vw, 883px\"\/><figcaption>The salary needed to be \u201crich\u201d in Washington, DC is the highest in the nation. <span class=\"credit\">Walt \u2013 stock.adobe.com<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>But don\u2019t despair. If you\u2019re not bringing in the big bucks, you can still live large in certain states, especially those below the Mason-Dixon Line.<\/p>\n<p>The five states where it costs the least amount to be considered rich are, in order, West Virginia ($198,000),\u00a0<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.realtor.com\/realestateandhomes-search\/Mississippi\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Mississippi<\/a>\u00a0($200,900),\u00a0<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.realtor.com\/realestateandhomes-search\/Kentucky\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Kentucky<\/a>\u00a0($204,300),\u00a0<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.realtor.com\/realestateandhomes-search\/Arkansas\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Arkansas<\/a>\u00a0($206,000), and\u00a0<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.realtor.com\/realestateandhomes-search\/Oklahoma\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Oklahoma<\/a>\u00a0($206,800).<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">District of Columbia<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Annual salary needed to be considered rich: $635,000<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Median home price: $540,000<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u201cDC high earners who are determined to be in Georgetown are waiting for that opportunity and having a tough time with the very restricted inventory and competition going on,\u201d\u00a0<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.elliman.com\/agent\/tracy-shively\/1031326\">Tracy Shively<\/a>\u00a0of Douglas Elliman tells Realtor.com.<\/p>\n<p>Those who can\u2019t get into that most elite neighborhood look to other hot spots: Kalorama, Woodland Normanstone (a small affluent enclave in Woodley Park), Wesley Heights, Kent, and Burleith in North Georgetown.<\/p>\n<div class=\"single__inline-module inline-module inline-module--newsletter aligncenter inline-module--nypostbusinessunit aligncenter wp-block-nypost-editor-newsletter\" data-source-unit=\"Inline Newsletter Module Morning Report\">\n<div class=\"inline-module__inner\">\n<div class=\"inline-module__title-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"inline-module__unsubmitted-title-wrapper\">\n<h3 class=\"inline-module__title headline headline--combo-sm-md\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tStart your day with all you need to know\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n<p class=\"inline-module__cta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMorning Report delivers the latest news, videos, photos and more.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><h3 class=\"inline-module__title headline headline--combo-sm-md\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tThanks for signing up!\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Massachusetts<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Annual salary needed to\u00a0be considered rich:\u00a0$386,800<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Median home price: $699,999<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Connecticut<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Annual salary needed to\u00a0be considered rich:\u00a0$344,400<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Median home price: $480,000<\/strong><\/p>\n<aside class=\"single__inline-module alignright\">\n\t<\/aside>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">New Jersey<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Annual salary needed to\u00a0be considered rich:\u00a0$341,000<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Median home price: $519,999<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Washington<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Annual salary needed to\u00a0be considered rich:\u00a0$330,800<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Median home price: $600,000<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">New York<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Annual salary needed to\u00a0be considered rich:\u00a0$327,400<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Median home price: $649,000<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Hawaii<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Annual salary needed to\u00a0be considered rich:\u00a0$323,900<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Median home price: $750,000<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Alaska<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Annual salary needed to\u00a0be considered rich:\u00a0$315,000<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Median home price: $419,950<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">California<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Annual salary needed to\u00a0be considered rich:\u00a0$314,700<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Median home price: $698,000<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Maryland (tied)<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Annual salary needed to\u00a0be considered rich:\u00a0$311,000<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Median home price: $399,999<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Rhode Island (tied)<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Annual salary needed to\u00a0be considered rich:\u00a0$311,000<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Median home price: $540,000<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2026\/02\/15\/real-estate\/how-much-money-you-need-to-earn-per-year-to-be-rich-in-each-us-state\/\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Being \u201crich\u201d \u2014 or in the top 10% of household earners in the US \u2014 looks very different\u00a0depending on your state. Earning $200,000 a year in&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2992,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2991","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-general-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2991","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2991"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2991\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2992"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2991"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2991"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2991"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}