Regular GOBankingRates readers may recognize the 12 cities in this article as those that ranked as the top cities where the upper-middle class is growing the most. Considering that the upper-middle class has grown by 80% or more in these places, Americans building their wealth may consider making a move to one of these 12 cities.
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Take a look at the top cities for upper-middle class growth along with insight as to how the upper-middle class population is becoming increasingly wealthy in these metros.
1. North Charleston, South Carolina
Number of upper-middle class households: 7,795
% increase in upper-middle class households (2018 to 2023): 125.1%
% of population that is now upper-middle class: 16%
Over a five-year span, North Charleston has seen a staggering increase of 125% in its upper-middle class households. According to a 2024 SmartAsset report on the nation’s richest counties, Charleston ranked No. 1 in South Carolina. The median household income in this city is $62,789 while the investment income is $146,964.
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2. Port St. Lucie, Florida
Number of upper-middle class households: 16,463
% increase in upper-middle class households (2018 to 2023): 122.2%
% of population that is now upper-middle class: 21%
If Port St. Lucie’s upper-middle class population is booming, it may be thanks to the city’s strong local economy. Named one of the best places to live in 2024 by Money, Port St. Lucie anticipates job growth increasing by more than 10% over the next three years, Moody’s Analytics data shows.
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3. Hialeah, Florida
Number of upper-middle class households: 10,525
% increase in upper-middle class households (2018 to 2023): 114.3%
% of population that is now upper-middle class: 14%
4. Spring Hill, Florida
Number of upper-middle class households: 8,020
% increase in upper-middle class households (2018 to 2023): 100.7%
% of population that is now upper-middle class: 18%
5. Palm Bay, Florida
Number of upper-middle class households: 7,314
% increase in upper-middle class households (2018 to 2023): 98.9%
% of population that is now upper-middle class: 16%
Americans angling to become wealthy sooner than later may decide to move to Palm Bay. In addition to our in-house study showing a 99% increase in upper-middle class households over a five-year period, SmartAsset ranked Palm Bay as the top city for high-income household growth in 2025.
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6. Knoxville, Tennessee
Number of upper-middle class households: 11,079
% increase in upper-middle class households (2018 to 2023): 95.2%
% of population that is now upper-middle class: 13%
Knoxville, which ranked among Money’s best places to live in 2024, may hold its steady economy accountable for the sizable increase in upper-middle class households. According to data from Moody’s Analytics, Knoxville is predicted to experience a 4.4% job growth in the next three years.
7. Meridian, Idaho
Number of upper-middle class households: 45,486
% increase in upper-middle class households (2018 to 2023): 93.5%
% of population that is now upper-middle class: 23%
8. Providence, Rhode Island
Number of upper-middle class households: 11,107
% increase in upper-middle class households (2018 to 2023): 92.6%
% of population that is now upper-middle class: 16%
The wealthy are not only increasing in Rhode Island, but they are making strategic choices as to where to reside. The Providence Journal shared a ranking of the state’s richest towns and cities in 2023 and Providence ranked in 37th place. (North Providence and East Providence ranked in 33rd and 34th place, respectively.)
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9. Pompano Beach, Florida
Number of upper-middle class households: 7,953
% increase in upper-middle class households (2018 to 2023): 91.6%
% of population that is now upper-middle class: 17%
Pompano Beach might not be flying under the radar for much longer as a top Florida city for growing wealth. The massive 92% increase of upper-middle class households over five years indicates the wealthy are coming to Pompano Beach and staying there. According to The Mastropieri Group, an impending revitalization to downtown and high-end beachfront condos in development make the city’s real estate one to watch.
10. Miami
Number of upper-middle class households: 24,992
% increase in upper-middle class households (2018 to 2023): 86.5%
% of population that is now upper-middle class: 13%
Will Miami never not be a hotspot for wealthy Americans? Beyond the nearly 87% increase of its upper-middle class households, millionaires are increasingly Miami-bound. A study from Henley & Partners revealed Miami’s millionaire population is now at 39,000 residents, increasing by 94% from 2014 to 2024.
11. Orlando, Florida
Number of upper-middle class households: 126,665
% increase in upper-middle class households (2018 to 2023): 85.5%
% of population that is now upper-middle class: 16%
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12. West Palm Beach, Florida
Number of upper-middle class households: 50,518
% increase in upper-middle class households (2018 to 2023): 80.7%
% of population that is now upper-middle class: 17%
In 2025, The Palm Beach Post reported West Palm Beach is considered one of the five fastest-growing “wealth hubs” according to a report from Henley & Partners. West Palm Beach isn’t just a haven for the upper-middle class or millionaires either. As of 2025, Forbes data revealed 68 billionaires have residences in Palm Beach.
Methodology: For this study, GOBankingRates analyzed cities with at least 40,000 households, according to the U.S. Census American Community Survey, to find the cities where the upper-middle class has grown the most. Households that earn between $100,000 and $149,000 are considered upper-middle class. Using the American Community Survey, the total population, total households, household median income, households in 2018 that earned $100,000 to $149,000, and households in 2023 that earned $100,000 to $149,000 were all sourced. The percent change in upper-middle-class households was calculated and the cities were sorted to show the largest increase in upper-middle-class households. All data was collected on and is up to date as of April 1, 2025.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 12 Cities Where You Can Really Get Rich Right Now
