Washington state has one of the wealthiest suburbs in the US, new study finds. See where
Mercer Island in Washington state ranks among the wealthiest suburbs in the United States, according to a new analysis of government data by personal finance site GOBankingRates.
GOBankingRates used 2023 U.S. Census data to rank the wealthiest suburb in each of the 50 largest U.S. metro areas, analyzing household mean income, one-year income growth, and the average home value as of June 2025 and its year-over-year change.
Here’s what else to know about Mercer Island, part of the Seattle metro area, and other wealthy suburbs in the nation:
What to know about Mercer Island, Washington state’s wealthiest suburb
Part of I-90 connecting Bellevue to Mercer Island is seen in this aerial photo in Bellevue, Washington, U.S. March 21, 2019.
An island community located in Lake Washington between Seattle and Bellevue, Mercer Island has a population of more than 25,000 people. In 2023, it had a household mean income of $303,425, which was a 1.22% increase from the previous year. As of June 2025, the average single-family home value was $2,494,508, marking a 2.49% increase from the prior year, according to the GOBankingRates study.
Mercer Island ranked 15th in the study of the wealthiest suburbs in America’s 50 largest metros. That’s because the Seattle metro area is the 15th-most populated metro, with 4 million people. The suburb of Scarsdale, New York, ranked first, as the New York City metro area (19.8 million population) is the most populous in the nation.
Mercer Island’s neighborhoods are mainly composed of single-family homes. There are some multi-family homes and a commercial district on the northern part of the island, however, according to the city’s website.
“Its close proximity to both Seattle and Bellevue makes island living convenient,” the website states. “The City owns approximately 475 acres of parkland and open space, which helps maintain the island’s natural beauty. The result is quiet, forested neighborhoods, complemented by stunning views of Seattle, the Cascade Mountains, Mount Rainier and Lake Washington.”
The island has attracted influential billionaires such as former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz and the late Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, according to CNBC.
Where are other wealthy suburbs in Washington state?
In a separate GOBankingRates study posted in July, the site ranked the wealthiest suburbs in the United States overall. In this study, Mercer Island ranked 29th in the nation, while Sammamish ranked 44th.
Sammamish, part of the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue metro area, had a 2023 household mean income of $280,644. The average value of a single-family home was about $1.8 million.
It has a population of about 65,100 people, according to Census Reporter.
“Located 25 miles east of Seattle, it is a desirable residential area for those who work in the city but prefer a quieter, more suburban lifestyle,” the Sammamish Chamber of Commerce’s website states. “Come and discover the irresistible allure of Sammamish – it’s a place where natural wonders and community spirit intertwine, creating an enchanting destination for all to enjoy.”
What are the 10 wealthiest suburbs in America’s 50 biggest metros?
Here are the top 10 most populated metro areas in the country, and the wealthiest suburb of each one, according to GOBankingRates:
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Scarsdale, New York: suburb of New York City (19.8 million), household mean income of $601,193 in 2023
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Palos Verdes Estates, California: suburb of Los Angeles (13 million), household mean income of $367,178 in 2023
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Hinsdale, Illinois: suburb of Chicago (9.4 million), household mean income of $376,366 in 2023
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University Park, Texas: suburb of Dallas (7.8 million), household mean income of $389,868 in 2023
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West University Place, Texas: suburb of Houston (7.3 million), household mean income of $409,677 in 2023
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McLean, Virginia: suburb of Washington, D.C. (6.3 million), household mean income of $364,591 in 2023
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Ardmore, Pennsylvania: suburb of Philadelphia (6.2 million), household mean income of $161,029 in 2023
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Milton, Georgia: suburb of Atlanta (6.2 million), household mean income of $225,532 in 2023
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Pinecrest, Florida: suburb of Miami (6.1 million), household mean income of $312,591 in 2023
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Scottsdale, Arizona: suburb of Phoenix (4.9 million), household mean income of $168,679 in 2023
This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: Washington state’s wealthiest suburb has an average income of $300,000
