Two well-to-do Houston-area communities – West University Place and Bellaire – are among the wealthiest suburbs in America in 2025, a new report has confirmed.
The affluent Houston neighbors were lauded in GoBankingRates just-released ranking of the 50 wealthiest U.S. suburbs, based on 2022 and 2023 average household income data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau.
West U. ranked as the third wealthiest suburb for the second consecutive year, while Bellaire moved up into the No. 23 spot after ranking 25th in 2024.
Compared to last year’s report, the average income for a West U. household has increased by $5,832, to $409,677. The value of the typical home in this affluent Houston enclave is nearing in the seven-figure range, at almost $983,000 in May, which the report noted is 4.61 percent higher than it was this time last year.
West U.’s prosperity is no secret – and neither was late CultureMap columnist Ken Hoffman’s opinion about that West U. isn’t a suburb – but fast-growing cities like Fulshear and Pearland may soon compete with the likes of West. U and Bellaire.
This luxurious mansion in Bellaire is on the market for $2.85 million.Photo courtesy of Zillow
Meanwhile, Bellaire’s average household income now surpasses $311,000, compared to $294,605 from last year’s report.
Bellaire certainly has its share of over-the-top homes on the market for hefty price tags. The report said the typical Bellaire home value in May came out to more than $1.13 million, up from about $1.08 million in the 2024 report.
Elsewhere in Texas
Houston wasn’t the only Texas metro to have entries on this year’s list. Two Dallas-Fort Worth suburbs, University Park and Southlake, were returnees in the 2025 report. University Park held on to its No. 6 spot for the second year in a row, while Southlake moved up six spots and is now the 7th most affluent American suburb. Additionally, the Fort Worth suburb of Colleyville made its 2025 debut on the list as the 47th wealthiest American suburb.
The top 10 wealthiest suburbs in America for 2025 are:
- No. 1 – Scarsdale, New York (New York City)
- No. 2 – Rye, New York (New York City)
- No. 3 – West University Place, Texas (Houston)
- No. 4 – Los Altos, California (San Jose)
- No. 5 – Alamo, California (Oakland)
- No. 6 – University Park, Texas (Dallas)
- No. 7 – Southlake, Texas (Fort Worth)
- No. 8 – Hinsdale, Illinois (Chicago)
- No. 9 – Orinda, California (Oakland)
- No. 10 – Wellesley, Massachusetts (Boston)