Mercer Island, WA — According to a new analysis by GOBankingRates, Mercer Island, a suburban gem in the Seattle metro area, ranks as one of the wealthiest suburbs in the United States.
Mercer Island’s Wealthy Status in Washington
Mercer Island, located in Lake Washington between Seattle and Bellevue, boasts a population of over 25,000 residents. In 2023, it had an impressive household mean income of $303,425, marking a 1.22% increase from the previous year. Additionally, the average home value on the island as of June 2025 was $2,494,508, reflecting a 2.49% increase from the prior year. These figures earned Mercer Island the 15th spot in the study of the wealthiest suburbs across the 50 largest U.S. metro areas.
“Mercer Island’s close proximity to both Seattle and Bellevue makes island living convenient,” according to the city’s website.
“The city owns approximately 475 acres of parkland and open space, which helps maintain the island’s natural beauty.”
These insights were highlighted in GOBankingRates’ study of wealthy U.S. suburbs, which used 2023 Census data to rank areas based on household incomes and property values. You can read more about this study on the Kitsap Sun.
This island community is particularly attractive to those looking for a quieter lifestyle close to the urban hustle of Seattle, with billionaires like former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz and the late Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen calling it home.
Other Wealthy Suburbs in Washington State
In a separate GOBankingRates study posted in July 2025, Mercer Island ranked 29th nationally for overall wealth among U.S. suburbs. Sammamish, also located in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue metro area, followed closely in 44th place.
- Sammamish had a 2023 household mean income of $280,644 and an average home value of approximately $1.8 million. With a population of about 65,100, it is a peaceful suburban area just 25 miles east of Seattle, offering a serene environment while being close to the city’s opportunities.
The Wealthiest Suburbs in the U.S.
The GOBankingRates study also identified the top wealthiest suburbs in the 50 largest U.S. metro areas, with Scarsdale, New York topping the list:
- Scarsdale, New York – $601,193 household mean income
- Palos Verdes Estates, California – $367,178 household mean income
- Hinsdale, Illinois – $376,366 household mean income
- University Park, Texas – $389,868 household mean income
- West University Place, Texas – $409,677 household mean income
- McLean, Virginia – $364,591 household mean income
- Ardmore, Pennsylvania – $161,029 household mean income
- Milton, Georgia – $225,532 household mean income
- Pinecrest, Florida – $312,591 household mean income
- Scottsdale, Arizona – $168,679 household mean income
These suburbs not only have some of the highest income figures but also reflect the broader trends of wealth distribution in the U.S., where the richest areas are often near major metropolitan hubs. According to the GOBankingRates study, these findings are part of a broader examination of wealth trends across the United States.
What do you think of Mercer Island’s ranking? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
