Tiny Californian town revealed as the richest in the entire state

The small town of Monte Sereno has been named the richest city in California.

With a population of approximately 4,000, Monte Sereno was originally founded in the early 20th century as an agricultural community. Fast forward to today: the median income for Monte Sereno residents is over $250,000.

Now Monte Sereno is minutes from the heart of Silicon Valley. Its scenic beauty, prime location, and renowned school systems have drawn tech executives to call this hidden gem their home.

Monte Sereno did not originate as a commercial center, which allowed the town to remain a residential area. The city was incorporated into Sanata Clara County in 1957 after residents fought to prevent annexation by neighboring cities.

This small town’s average income even surpasses California’s major cities, according to an analysis by GoBanking Rates.

The average income of Monte Sereno residents is reported to be $250,000

Monte Sereno is not only known for its high-earning residents. Some notable sights in the city include the house where American author John Steinbeck wrote his iconic novel The Grapes of Wrath, and the location of the Billy Jones Railroad.

Apart from the Steinbeck house, Monte Sereno is purely residential. The nearest restaurants, drugstores and supermarkets are in the neighboring town of Los Gatos, just outside the city limits.

According to recent 2020 census data, Monte Sereno’s population is 67.7 percent white, 19.6 percent Asian and 0.7 percent black.

San Francisco, about 50 miles northwest of Monte Sereno, has a median income of $212,115. Meanwhile, San Jose’s median income is $193,252.

Despite their reputation as one of the most expensive cities in the United States, San Francisco and San Jose offer exceptional living standards for lower- and middle-income households.

While the Bay Area’s high cost of living is significant, it is more than offset by higher wages, making it the nation’s top-ranked city for quality of life, according to a study by the Ludwig Institute for Shared Economic Prosperity (LISEP ).

These findings challenge recent negative headlines that portray San Francisco as a “blighted city” or “hell” due to rising crime rates, homelessness and drug use.

In fact, AARP reports that San Francisco was surprisingly named the best place for older Americans to live, based on access to medical care, grocery stores, affordable housing and cultural opportunities.

Some notable sights in Monte Sereno include the house where American author John Steinbeck wrote his iconic novel The Grapes of Wrath, and the location of the Billy Jones Railroad.

Even Los Angeles, home to top multi-millionaires such as Kim Kardashian, lags behind Monte Sereno in terms of average household income.

While Hollywood’s high rollers are raking in the cash, the average income in Los Angeles is $125,675.

Other high-profile areas in California, such as Napa, are extremely expensive for tourists. The wine country welcomes more than 3 million people every year, with the average tourist spending $281 per day.

However, Monte Sereno still reigns supreme for the highest incomes in California.