10 Places Where Individuals Have the Most Disposable Income

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Having $5,000 to $7,000 left over each month after taxes and necessities are paid is a dream for many single adults. In some U.S. counties, it’s the average.

As part of a study released last month, personal finance site SmartAsset identified the top areas in the U.S. where individuals have the most disposable income — defined as money left over after covering the essentials and paying taxes.

Here’s a look at the top 10. They include four counties in California and three in New York.

Next, find out how much it costs to live in every state.

Suffolk County, New York

• Largest city: Brookhaven, population 489,000
• Median household income: $119,253
• Cost of necessities for a single adult: $59,550
• Disposable income for a single adult: $59,703

Montgomery County, Maryland

• Largest city: Germantown, population 92,000
• Median household income: $118,020
• Cost of necessities for a single adult: $56,410
• Disposable income for a single adult: $61,610

Alameda County, California

• Largest city: Oakland, population 441,000
• Median household income: $121,190
• Cost of necessities for a single adult: $59,384
• Disposable income for a single adult: $61,806

Bergen County, New Jersey

• Largest city: Hackensack, population 47,000
• Median household income: $113,885
• Cost of necessities for a single adult: $51,730
• Disposable income for a single adult: $62,155

Collin County, Texas

• Largest city: Plano, population 286,000
• Median household income: $113,943
• Cost of necessities for a single adult: $51,750
• Disposable income for a single adult: $62,193

San Mateo County, California

• Largest city: San Mateo, population 106,000
• Median household income: $143,795
• Cost of necessities for a single adult: $71,531
• Disposable income for a single adult: $72,264

San Francisco County, California

• Largest city: San Francisco, population 809,000
• Median household income: $135,366
• Cost of necessities for a single adult: $59,779
• Disposable income for a single adult: $75,587

Nassau County, New York

• Largest town: Hempstead, population 794,000
• Median household income: $135,528
• Cost of necessities for a single adult: $57,928
• Disposable income for a single adult: $77,600

Santa Clara County, California

• Largest city: San Jose, population 972,000
• Median household income: $150,502
• Cost of necessities for a single adult: $68,619
• Disposable income for a single adult: $81,883

Fairfax County, Virginia

• Largest town: Herndon, population 25,000
• Median household income: $144,632
• Cost of necessities for a single adult: $60,757
• Disposable income for a single adult: $83,875

Takeaway

For perspective, consider that the average annual income after taxes in the U.S. was $87,869 in 2023, according to the most recent figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That compares to average monthly expenses of $77,280 a year. Based on SmartAsset’s model, that leaves the average American household with $882 of disposable income each month.

The counties listed above blend high earnings with relatively low expenses. In terms of straight-up wealth, four of these counties also make the top 10 in U.S. News & World Report’s latest figures. Counties appearing on both lists include Santa Clara County, second wealthiest overall; San Mateo County, third; Fairfax County, fifth; and Nassau County, eighth.

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