Here's every California county's median household income (2024)

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LOS ANGELES - Living in California is expensive - as you probably already know.

So where do you fall when it comes to the median income in your county?

Each year, the California Department of Housing and Community Development publishes an updated list of state income limits for each of California's 58 counties.

The income limits reflected in the data are broken down into six categories - acutely low, extremely low, very low, low, and moderate.

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Three out of the top five cities with the highest income thresholds for the middle class are located in the Bay Area. These middle income residents need to make at least $81,623 in San Francisco, $84,673 in San Jose and $104,499 in Fremont. By comparison, Seattle residents similarly need to make at least $74,223.

Take this into consideration - households that earn up to $311,936 per year in Fremont,are still technically considered middle class.

These are the median income limits for a family of four in every category of every California county:

Alameda County

  • Acutely low: $22,200
  • Extremely low: $44,350
  • Very low income: $73,950
  • Low income: $112,150
  • Median income: $147,900
  • Moderate income: $177,500

Alpine County

  • Acutely low: $17,200
  • Extremely low: $30,000
  • Very low income: $48,050
  • Low income: $76,900
  • Median income: $114,600
  • Moderate income: $137,500

Amador County

  • Acutely low: $15,200
  • Extremely low: $30,000
  • Very low income: $45,850
  • Low income: $73,350
  • Median income: $101,200
  • Moderate income: $121,450

Butte County

  • Acutely low: $13,750
  • Extremely low: $30,000
  • Very low income: $41,250
  • Low income: $65,950
  • Median income: $91,600
  • Moderate income: $109,900

Calaveras County

  • Acutely low: $14,450
  • Extremely low: $30,000
  • Very low income: $47,650
  • Low income: $76,250
  • Median income: $96,200
  • Moderate income: $115,450

Colusa County

  • Acutely low: $12,550
  • Extremely low: $30,000
  • Very low income: $41,250
  • Low income: $65,950
  • Median income: $147,900
  • Moderate income: $177,500

Contra Costa County

  • Acutely low: $22,200
  • Extremely low: $44,350
  • Very low income: $73,950
  • Low income: $112,150
  • Median income: $147,900
  • Moderate income: $177,500

Del Norte County

  • Acutely low: $12,550
  • Extremely low: $30,000
  • Very low income: $41,250
  • Low income: $65,950
  • Median income: $83,800
  • Moderate income: $100,550

El Dorado County

  • Acutely low: $17,100
  • Extremely low: $32,150
  • Very low income: $53,600
  • Low income: $85,750
  • Median income: $113,900
  • Moderate income: $136,700

Fresno County

  • Acutely low: $12,550
  • Extremely low: $30,000
  • Very low income: $41,250
  • Low income: $65,950
  • Median income: $83,800
  • Moderate income: $100,550

Glenn County

  • Acutely low: $12,550
  • Extremely low: $30,000
  • Very low income: $41,250
  • Low income: $65,950
  • Median income: $83,800
  • Moderate income: $100,550

Humboldt County

  • Acutely low: $12,550
  • Extremely low: $30,000
  • Very low income: $41,250
  • Low income: $65,950
  • Median income: $83,800
  • Moderate income: $100,550

Imperial County

  • Acutely low: $12,550
  • Extremely low: $30,000
  • Very low income: $41,250
  • Low income: $65,950
  • Median income: $83,800
  • Moderate income: $100,550

Inyo County

  • Acutely low: $12,800
  • Extremely low: $30,000
  • Very low income: $42,700
  • Low income: $68,300
  • Median income: $85,400
  • Moderate income: $102,500

Kern County

  • Acutely low: $12,550
  • Extremely low: $30,000
  • Very low income: $41,250
  • Low income: $65,950
  • Median income: $83,800
  • Moderate income: $100,550

Kings County

  • Acutely low: $12,550
  • Extremely low: $30,000
  • Very low income: $41,250
  • Low income: $65,950
  • Median income: $83,800
  • Moderate income: $100,500

Lake County

  • Acutely low: $12,550
  • Extremely low: $30,000
  • Very low income: $41,250
  • Low income: $65,950
  • Median income: $83,800
  • Moderate income: $100,550

Lassen County

  • Acutely low: $12,550
  • Extremely low: $30,000
  • Very low income: $41,900
  • Low income: $67,050
  • Median income: $83,800
  • Moderate income: $100,550

Los Angeles County

  • Acutely low: $14,750
  • Extremely low: $37,850
  • Very low income: $63,050
  • Low income: $100,900
  • Median income: $98,200
  • Moderate income: $117,850

Madera County

  • Acutely low: $12,550
  • Extremely low: $30,000
  • Very low income: $41,250
  • Low income: $65,950
  • Median income: $83,800
  • Moderate income: $100,550

Marin County

  • Acutely low: $26,250
  • Extremely low: $55,900
  • Very low income: $93,200
  • Low income: $149,100
  • Median income: $175,000
  • Moderate income: $210,000

Mariposa County

  • Acutely low: $12,550
  • Extremely low: $30,000
  • Very low income: $41,250
  • Low income: $65,950
  • Median income: $83,800
  • Moderate income: $100,550

Mendocino County

  • Acutely low: $13,450
  • Extremely low: $30,000
  • Very low income: $42,500
  • Low income: $68,000
  • Median income: $89,700
  • Moderate income: $107,650

Merced County

  • Acutely low: $12,550
  • Extremely low: $30,000
  • Very low income: $41,250
  • Low income: $65,950
  • Median income: $83,800
  • Moderate income: $100,550

Modoc County

  • Acutely low: $12,550
  • Extremely low: $30,000
  • Very low income: $41,250
  • Low income: $65,950
  • Median income: $83,800
  • Moderate income: $100,550

Mono County

  • Acutely low: $14,350
  • Extremely low: $30,000
  • Very low income: $42,500
  • Low income: $68,000
  • Median income: $95,800
  • Moderate income: $114,950

Monterey County

  • Acutely low: $15,050
  • Extremely low: $36,100
  • Very low income: $60,200
  • Low income: $96,350
  • Median income: $100,40I0
  • Moderate income: $120,500

Napa County

  • Acutely low: $19,450
  • Extremely low: $40,050
  • Very low income: $66,750
  • Low income: $106,700
  • Median income: $129,600
  • Moderate income: $155,500

Nevada County

  • Acutely low: $16,900
  • Extremely low: $31,250
  • Very low income: $52,100
  • Low income: $83,350
  • Median income: $112,500
  • Moderate income: $135,000

Orange County

  • Acutely low: $19,150
  • Extremely low: $43,050
  • Very low income: $71,750
  • Low income: $114,800
  • Median income: $127,800
  • Moderate income: $153,350

Placer County

  • Acutely low: $17,100
  • Extremely low: $32,150
  • Very low income: $53,600
  • Low income: $85,750
  • Median income: $113,900
  • Moderate income: $136,700

Plumas County

  • Acutely low: $12,550
  • Extremely low: $30,000
  • Very low income: $41,900
  • Low income: $67,050
  • Median income: $83,800
  • Moderate income: $100,150

Riverside County

  • Acutely low: $14,200
  • Extremely low: $30,000
  • Very low income: $46,660
  • Low income: $74,550
  • Median income: $94,500
  • Moderate income: $113,400

Sacramento County

  • Acutely low: $17,100
  • Extremely low: $32,150
  • Very low income: $53,600
  • Low income: $85,750
  • Median income: $113,900
  • Moderate income: $136,700

San Benito County

  • Acutely low: $21,050
  • Extremely low: $33,400
  • Very low income: $55,650
  • Low income: $89,050
  • Median income: $140,200
  • Moderate income: $168,250

San Bernardino County

  • Acutely low: $14,200
  • Extremely low: $30,000
  • Very low income: $46,600
  • Low income: $74,550
  • Median income: $94,500
  • Moderate income: $113,400

San Diego County

  • Acutely low: $17,500
  • Extremely low: $41,350
  • Very low income: $68,900
  • Low income: $110,250
  • Median income: $116,800
  • Moderate income:$140,150

San Francisco County

  • Acutely low: $26,250
  • Extremely low: $55,900
  • Very low income: $93,200
  • Low income: $149,100
  • Median income: $175,000
  • Moderate income: $210,000

San Joaquin County

  • Acutely low: $15,050
  • Extremely low: $30,000
  • Very low income: $43,850
  • Low income: $70,100
  • Median income: $100,300
  • Moderate income: $120,350

San Luis Obispo County

  • Acutely low: $16,950
  • Extremely low: $34,750
  • Very low income: $57,900
  • Low income: $92,650
  • Median income: $113,100
  • Moderate income: $135,700

San Mateo County

  • Acutely low: $26,250
  • Extremely low: $55,900
  • Very low income: $93,200
  • Low income: $149,100
  • Median income: $175,000
  • Moderate income: $210,000

Santa Barbara County

  • Acutely low: $16,100
  • Extremely low: $44,350
  • Very low income: $73,950
  • Low income: $118,500
  • Median income: $107,300
  • Moderate income: $128,750

Santa Clara County

  • Acutely low: $27,200
  • Extremely low: $53,500
  • Very low income: $89,200
  • Low income: $137,100
  • Median income: $181,300
  • Moderate income: $217,550

Santa Cruz County

  • Acutely low: $19,900
  • Extremely low: $49,400
  • Very low income: $82,350
  • Low income: $132,100
  • Median income: $132,800
  • Moderate income: $159,350

Shasta County

  • Acutely low: $13,450
  • Extremely low: $30,000
  • Very low income: $42,000
  • Low income: $67,200
  • Median income: $89,800
  • Moderate income: $107,750

Sierra County

  • Acutely low: $13,500
  • Extremely low: $30,000
  • Very low income: $45,000
  • Low income: $72,000
  • Median income: $90,000
  • Moderate income: $108,000

Siskiyou County

  • Acutely low: $12,550
  • Extremely low: $30,000
  • Very low income: $41,250
  • Low income: $65,950
  • Median income: $83,800
  • Moderate income: $100,550

Solano County

  • Acutely low: $16,900
  • Extremely low: $34,300
  • Very low income: $57,200
  • Low income: $91,500
  • Median income: $112,600
  • Moderate income: $135,100

Sonoma County

  • Acutely low: $19,200
  • Extremely low: $37,750
  • Very low income: $62,900
  • Low income: $100,650
  • Median income: $128,100
  • Moderate income: $153,700

Stanislaus County

  • Acutely low: $13,900
  • Extremely low: $30,000
  • Very low income: $42,200
  • Low income: $67,500
  • Median income: $92,600
  • Moderate income: $111,100

Sutter County

  • Acutely low: $12,550
  • Extremely low: $30,000
  • Very low income: $41,250
  • Low income: $65,950
  • Median income: $83,800
  • Moderate income: $100,550

Tehama County

  • Acutely low: $12,550
  • Extremely low: $30,000
  • Very low income: $41,250
  • Low income: $65,950
  • Median income: $83,800
  • Moderate income: $100,550

Trinity County

  • Acutely low: $12,550
  • Extremely low: $30,000
  • Very low income: $41,250
  • Low income: $65,950
  • Median income: $83,800
  • Moderate income: $100,550

Tulare County

  • Acutely low: $12,550
  • Extremely low: $30,000
  • Very low income: $41,250
  • Low income: $65,950
  • Median income: $83,800
  • Moderate income: $100,550

Tuolumne County

  • Acutely low: $14,650
  • Extremely low: $30,000
  • Very low income: $44,050
  • Low income: $70,450
  • Median income: $97,700
  • Moderate income: $117,250

Ventura County

  • Acutely low: $18,550
  • Extremely low: $39,850
  • Very low income: $66,400
  • Low income: $106,250
  • Median income: $123,500
  • Moderate income: $148,200

Yolo County

  • Acutely low: $17,100
  • Extremely low: $31,450
  • Very low income: $52,450
  • Low income: $83,900
  • Median income: $114,000
  • Moderate income: $136,800

Yuba County

  • Acutely low: $12,550
  • Extremely low: $30,000
  • Very low income: $41,250
  • Low income: $65,950
  • Median income: $83,800
  • Moderate income: $100,550
Here's every California county's median household income (2024)

FAQs

What is the median income per household in California? ›

In 2022, the median household income in California amounted to 85,300 U.S. dollars. This is an increase from the previous year, when the median household income in the state was 81,575 U.S. dollars. Median household income for the United States can be accessed here.

What household income is considered middle class in California? ›

In California, the middle class income range for 2022 was $61,270 to $183,810. Compare that to the average in 2012, which was $40,933 to $122,800. That's a 10-year change of 49.68%. Those figures pushed California to #4 on the list ranking U.S. states where the middle class income has increased.

What income is considered upper class in California? ›

Your household would need to earn at least $64,224 to be considered middle class in the Garden State, and earning more than $192,692 would put you in the upper class.

What county in California has the highest median income? ›

1. Santa Clara County: $153,800 Median Household Income. Santa Clara County is the wealthiest county in California, with a median household income of $153,800 and a median home value of almost $1.7 million.

What is a good salary in California? ›

Average Salary in California
Annual SalaryHourly Wage
Top Earners$95,500$46
75th Percentile$78,264$38
Average$61,916$30
25th Percentile$45,568$22

What is considered wealthy in CA? ›

Data from the U.S. Census Bureau was used in the report. For Californians hoping to join the prestigious club, residents would have to bring in an average income of $613,602, a nearly 40% increase from 2017, when the average income needed for the top 5% of earners was $447,207.

What is the poor class income? ›

Where you rank by income. According to the Census Bureau's Income in the United States: 2022 report, the median household income is $74,580 (a 2.3% decline from 2021), while household income levels for each class level are as follows: Lower class: less than or equal to $30,000. Lower-middle class: $30,001 – $58,020.

What is considered low income in California? ›

Very-Low, Low and Moderate-Income Limits
Household SizeVery-Low IncomeLow-Income
1$11,550 or less$11,551 - $19,300
2$13,200 or less$13,201 - $22,050
3$14,900 or less$14,901 - $24,800
4$16,550 or less$16,551 - $27,550
4 more rows

What is wealthy class income? ›

In 2021, the median household income is roughly $68,000. An upper class income is usually considered at least 50% higher than the median household income. Therefore, an upper class income in America is $100,000 and higher. However, an upper class income also depends on where you live.

What are the five income classes? ›

One way some researchers divide individuals into economic classes is by looking at their incomes. From that data, they split earners into different classes: poor, lower-middle class, middle class, upper-middle class and wealthy.

Is $90,000 a good salary in California? ›

90K Salary in California. $58,700 is the 25th percentile. Salaries below this are outliers. $84,900 is the 75th percentile.

Is 170k a good salary in California? ›

As a rule of thumb, a good salary in Los Angeles is between $100k and $200k gross per year. Based on the cost of living in Los Angeles, this should come down to a minimum of $76,710 yearly after taxes.

What is the poorest county in California to live in? ›

Here are the 10 poorest counties in California, according to the analysis:
  • Trinity County. Median income: $42,206. ...
  • Imperial County. Median income: $49,078. ...
  • Siskiyou County. Median income: $49,857. ...
  • Modoc County. Median income: $51,090. ...
  • Tehama County. Median income: $52,901. ...
  • Del Norte County. ...
  • Mariposa County. ...
  • Humboldt County.
Jul 13, 2023

Where in California is the richest? ›

Atherton is considered the wealthiest city in California.

What is the best paying counties in California? ›

Santa Clara County leads with a median income of $140,258 and a home value of $1,468,206. The rest of the top 3 are San Mateo and Marin counties. On the flip side, the 10 poorest counties include Trinity and Imperial. About 12% of California residents live in poverty.

What percentage of Californians make over $100,000 a year? ›

Percentage of Households Making Over 100k 2024
StateHouseholds Over 100k
Massachusetts42.9%
Hawaii41.3%
Connecticut40.4%
California39.8%
6 more rows

What is the top 5% household income in CA? ›

What is the income distribution in the US?
StateIncome threshold of the top 1%Income threshold of the top 5%
Arkansas$411,633$183,945
California$745,314$291,277
Connecticut$896,490$311,589
Florida$623,736$223,179
10 more rows
Apr 30, 2024

What is the median range salary in California? ›

The average salary in California is technically $111,622. However, the median salary can provide a much more accurate picture, as it removes extreme outliers from the numbers. Therefore, the median salary in California is $78,672. Your salary in California largely will depend on where you live and what your job is.

What is considered moderate income in California? ›

Very-Low, Low and Moderate-Income Limits
Household SizeVery-Low IncomeModerate-Income
1$11,550 or less$19,301 - $30,850
2$13,200 or less$22,051 - $35,250
3$14,900 or less$24,801 - $39,650
4$16,550 or less$27,551 - $44,100
4 more rows

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