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Big houses, fancy cars, foreign vacations. The lifestyles of the rich and the famous (and the not-so-famous) are the envy and aspirations of many.
But what does it really take to be “rich” these days? How much money do you really need?
That number varies depending on where you live. What counts as rich in one place will barely make a dent just a few states over — or if you’re in the Phoenix area, just a few cities or towns to the east or west.
The financial site MoneyLion used the 2024 1-year American Community Survey from the U.S. Census Bureau to determine what it takes to be rich in each state. The site looked at how much money you needed to earn to be in the top 20% of earners, and also looked at the average household incomes of the top 20% and 5% for each state.
In Arizona as a whole, you need a household income of $156,723 to be considered the top 20% of earners in the state. That’s nearly $40,000 less than what it takes to be in the top 20% in Connecticut, for example, but nearly $37,000 more than in West Virginia.
The average household income of the top 20% in Arizona is $275,969, while the average income of the top 5% is $491,192. For reference, the median household income for the state is just $81,486.
Phoenix New Times conducted a similar analysis to determine what “rich” means in Phoenix and its surrounding cities. We focused on the minimum income to be in the top 20% of households — and, for perverse kicks, looked at the average income of the top 5%.
Here’s how they all rank.
10. Glendale
Top 20% threshold: $140,107
Median household income: $75,711
Top 5% average: $472,681
Located northwest of Phoenix, Glendale boasts State Farm Stadium, the home to the Arizona Cardinals, as its claim to fame. The suburb has an estimated population of just over 260,000 and has hosted three Super Bowls so far.
9. Tempe
Top 20% threshold: $153,329
Median household income: $78,004
Top 5% average: $427,047
Home to the Arizona State University mothership, Tempe is a vibrant college town. It has a population of nearly 190,000 and is famous for its easy access to desert trails and the Tempe Town Lake.
8. Mesa
Top 20% threshold $156,513
Median household income: $85,580
Top 5% average: $453,951
Mesa is the second-largest city in the Phoenix metro area, with a population of around half a million. It’s also considered the last stop for outdoor enthusiasts going to Tonto National Forest and the Sonoran Desert.
7. Phoenix
Top 20% threshold: $159,071
Median household income: $85,246
Top 5% average: $465,520
Phoenix is the state’s capital and the fifth-largest city in the U.S. It has great access to the outdoors — whether you’re looking for golf or desert hikes — and a growing foodie scene.
6. Surprise
Top 20% threshold: $174,465
Median household income: $100,824
Top 5% average: $487,009
To the northwest of Phoenix, Surprise boasts the Southwest’s largest tennis and racquet complex. The city has made recent headlines after Immigration and Customs Enforcement purchased a warehouse there to turn into an immigration detention center.
5. Peoria
Top 20% threshold: $190,600
Median household income: $97,333
Top 5% average: $596,601
This Phoenix suburb is known for its outdoor access and is located near Lake Pleasant Regional Park.
4. Chandler
Top 20% threshold: $195,543
Median household income: $110,284
Top 5% average: $601,631
Chandler has a rapidly growing population approaching 300,000. It’s nicknamed the “Silicon Desert” and has become a hub for technology and semiconductor manufacturing, though it recently rejected a high-profile data center project.
3. Gilbert
Top 20% threshold: $203,596
Median household income: $124,968
Top 5% average: $532,020
Gilbert boasts the fourth-largest city population in Arizona. It was named the second-safest city in the U.S., but also made headlines in the last two years for a pack of violent, roving teenagers known as the “Gilbert Goons.”
2. Scottsdale
Top 20% threshold: $230,856
Median household income: $104,893
Top 5% average: $937,970
Scottsdale is the self-proclaimed “West’s Most Western Town.” Its population hovers around a quarter of a million people, and it’s famous for its golf courses, spas, hiking and resorts.
1. Paradise Valley
Top 20% threshold: $250,000+
Median household income: $247,159
Top 5% average: $1,615,978
This tiny enclave with a population of around 12,000 is known for its exclusivity. Wedged between Phoenix and Scottsdale, it’s also known for its resorts and hiking trails.
