10 Places Where Families Have the Most Disposable Income — 4 Are in Texas
Written by
Sarah Li Cain
Edited by
Jenna Klaverweiden
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There’s no doubt that the current economic environment and things like inflation can impact the amount of disposable income you have. That money could go toward more fun items and, perhaps more importantly, savings and long-term investments.
While the 2023 U.S. median household income of $80,610 sounds like a lot, it might not be if you factor in the costs it would take to care for a family, like childcare, housing and food.
According to research by SmartAsset, there are some places where people have more disposable income than most. The rankings are based on the amount of money left over after taking into account expenses for households with two working adults supporting one child.
Here are the top 10 places where families have the most disposable income in the U.S.
Fairfax County, Virginia
The SmartAsset study shows that the disposable income for a three-person household is $29,941 for a three-person household. Part of the reason for that could be that the median household income is $144,632 — much higher than the national median.
The cost of living is also much higher than the national average — 49.7% higher.
Collin County, Texas
The median income in this county is $113,943, but residents see high necessity expenses of $93,142. Still, a three-person family can have a shot at a disposable income of $20,801.
The cost of living in Collin County is 11.7% higher than the national average.
Santa Clara County, California
In Santa Clara County, the disposable income for two working adults and a child in a household is $20,377. That’s all on a median household income of $150,502.
The cost of living in Santa Clara County is extremely high — a whopping 131% higher than the national average. While that might not be too surprising considering California’s reputation for high costs, this county’s cost of living is still 54.1% higher than the California average.
Fort Bend County, Texas
Median household income in Fort Bend County is $105,583. A three-person household has disposable income of $15,769.
The cost of living here is a bit more reasonable than others on this list so far at just 8.1% higher than the national average cost of living.
Nassau County, New York
This county in New York state has a disposable income of $14,306 for households with two adults who work and take care of a child. That’s all from a median income of $135,528.
Residents of Nassau County experience a cost of living that’s 60.6% higher than the national average.
Montgomery County, Maryland
This county just north of Washington, D.C., has a median income of $118,020. If you and your partner worked and took care of a child, your disposable income here would be $12,606.
The cost of living in this county is 38.5% higher than the national average.
Denton County, Texas
This small county located northwest of Dallas has a median disposable income of $12,481 for two working adults and a child. The median income is a bit lower compared with other counties on this list so far at $102,711.
Like other Texas counties on this list, the cost of living in Denton County is a more reasonable 7.6% higher than the national average.
Montgomery County, Texas
You’ll find this county north of Houston, with its residents earning a median income of $95,241. The lower income is reflected in the disposable income amount, sitting at $9,254 for families with two workers and a child.
However, the cost of living in this county makes up for this lower income. It’s just 0.1% higher than the national average.
Bergen County, New Jersey
Located across the Hudson River from New York, this county in New Jersey boasts a disposable income of $9,136 for two working adults raising a child. This county has a median income of $113,885.
The cost of living here is 41% higher than the national average.
Utah County, Utah
Just south of Salt Lake City, Utah County is home to the city of Provo. Its residents have a median income of $95,085. Disposable income for two working adults and a child is at $8,640.
Residents here will see a cost of living that’s 17.2% higher than the national average.
Editor’s note: All cost of living figures were sourced from BestPlaces.
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