The 10 Richest Small Cities in America

1) Bethesda, MD 1) Bethesda, MD

Bethesda was first in terms of closest distance to a polo field (eight miles), second in distance to private jet facilities (six miles) and third in terms of really expensive clothing retailers per capita.

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2) Palo Alto, CA Palo Alto, CA

With the tech industry so infatuated with aesthetics all of kinds, it’s no surprise that Palo Alto came in first for its number of cosmetic surgeons per capital. The city also placed second for luxury car dealerships.

Flickr/Peter Thoeny

3) McLean, VA McLean, VA

McLean placed first in the luxe jewelry stores per capita category, which is a little disconcerting when you consider taxpayers pay the salaries of many of this city’s residents. (Pictured: CIA headquarters in the Langley area of McLean)

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4) Redondo Beach, CA Redondo Beach, CA

In addition to placing first in terms of yacht club distance, Redondo Beach was fourth overall for both high-end clothing retailers per capita and distance to private jet facilities.

Flickr/Neil Kremer

5) Menlo Park, CA 5) Menlo Park, CA

Menlo Park’s best finish was for high-end jewelry stores, where it placed second overall. Luxe fine dining was a close third, as was distance to the nearest yacht club.

Flickr/Scott Loftesness

6) Lexington, MA 6) Lexington, MA

At just five miles from the town center, Lexington placed first for distance to private jet facilities and came in second for high-end fine dining overall. It ranked 22nd for cosmetic surgeons.

Flickr/Jeanette Runyon

Brentwood, TN Brentwood, Tennessee

Brentwood has more luxury car dealers per capita than anywhere else in our 25 wealthiest small cities – to the tune of one for every 6,176 people.

City of Brentwood

8) Foster City, CA 8) Foster City, CA

Foster City’s best rankings came in yacht club distance, proximity to private jet facilities and luxury car dealers per capita.

Flickr/sudhi_yhoo

9) Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 9) Rancho Palos Verdes, CA

Residents can spend their money on fine dining here as nowhere else, since Rancho Palos Verdes ranked first overall for hyper-expensive cuisine.

Flickr/Moto_club4ag

10) Laguna Niguel, CA 10) Laguna Niguel, CA

Where Laguna Niguel fared best was in distance to the nearest polo field and a fifth-place finish for both its number of luxury car dealers per capita and distance to the nearest yacht club.

Flickr/Mark Weston

10) Hoboken, NJ (tied with Laguna Niguel) 10) Hoboken, NJ

What pushed Hoboken into the top 10 was a generally great performance across the board: The city placed no lower than 12th in any single criterion.

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