An ideal scenario for many Americans would be to work in a city that pays a high salary but doesn’t require much time, both in terms of commuting and actual work hours. To determine if such a city exists, GOBankingRates culled data from the U.S. Census Bureau, starting with cities that had at least 1,000 households and a population of at least 5,000.
This list was then further refined by eliminating cities with incomes that were less than 120% of the national median. After factoring in the “total work time,” which included commuting, a final list of 10 cities with high salaries and the best work-life balance were assembled. They are presented here in reverse order.
10. McLean, Virginia
- Household median income: $242,610
- Amount above the national average income ($): $173,589
- Total work time (usual hours worked + travel time to work): 42.89
McLean is the largest town in the top 10, with a population of 28,932 residents aged 16 to 64. But when that many people are earning over $240,000 per year, it means there’s plenty of wealth to go around.
The only reason that McLean doesn’t rank higher in this study is the fact that the total work time required to earn that money is the highest of any city in the top 10.
9. Tamalpais-Homestead Valley, California
- Household median income: $220,875
- Amount above the national average income ($): $151,854
- Total work time (usual hours worked + travel time to work): 40.99
The Tamalpais-Homestead Valley, located just north of the San Francisco peninsula across the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, is home to some of the most coveted real estate in the world, including communities ranging from Mill Valley and Tiburon to Sausalito. But it’s also blessed with incomparable scenic views of the San Francisco Bay, redwood forests in places like Muir Woods, and the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
8. Dunn Loring, Virginia
- Household median income: $222,292
- Amount above the national average income ($): $153,271
- Total work time (usual hours worked + travel time to work): 41
Tiny Dunn Loring, with a population of just 5,610 residents aged 16 to 64, boasts one of the highest median incomes in the country. The suburb of Washington D.C. lies west of Arlington, across the Potomac River from where many of its residents work.
7. Town and Country, Missouri
- Household median income: $211,429
- Amount above the national average income ($): $142,408
- Total work time (usual hours worked + travel time to work): 40
Workers in Town and Country put in what was long considered to be the “average” workweek of 40 hours, but that includes commuting time as well. For those hours, residents are paid exceptionally well, with incomes 206.33% above the national average.
The St. Louis suburb offers a rural feel and has been called one of the very best places to live in Missouri.
6. Wolf Trap, Virginia
- Household median income: $225,962
- Amount above the national average income ($): $156,941
- Total work time (usual hours worked + travel time to work): 40.78
Like its sister city Dunn Loring, which lies just 10 minutes away, the evocatively named Wolf Trap is a Washington D.C. suburb located in wealthy Fairfax County. It’s famous for being the host city of the Filene Center, which is the country’s only national park for the performing arts.
Incomes are just slightly above those of Dunn Loring, while total work time is just a hair below.
5. George Mason, Virginia
- Household median income: $129,167
- Amount above the national average income ($): $60,146
- Total work time (usual hours worked + travel time to work): 31.63
Incomes in George Mason are well below some of the biggest-earning cities on this list, but they’re still 87.14% above the national average. Considering the total work time in George Mason is just a touch above 31 hours, that household median income is actually exceptionally high.
Employment in the small city is dominated by its namesake university.
4 Orinda, California
- Household median income: $248,984
- Amount above the national average income ($): $179,963
- Total work time (usual hours worked + travel time to work): 41.74
Orinda tops the list when it comes to income, with households earning more than 260% above the national average. The semi-rural city lies across the Bay Bridge, just 20 minutes from downtown San Francisco, although many residents use the Caldecott Tunnel on Highway 24 to keep their commutes short.
3. South Hill, New York
- Household median income: $88,669
- Amount above the national average income ($): $19,648
- Total work time (usual hours worked + travel time to work): 27.42
South Hill is something of an outlier in this list. Household median incomes in the city are barely 28% above the national average, but its average total work time is exceedingly low. So if you’re…
Read More: 10 Cities With High Salaries and the Best Work-Life Balance