What unites world-renowned metropolises such as New York, Dallas, and Tokyo? Beyond their glittering skylines and bustling economies, these cities share one particularly striking characteristic: an exceptionally high concentration of extraordinarily wealthy individuals. The global elite, defined as those possessing personal fortunes exceeding $30 million, tend to cluster in select epicenters of prosperity. According to a comprehensive study conducted by the financial analytics firm Altrata, nearly one-fifth—approximately 19%—of this ultra-affluent segment resides in just ten major cities across the planet. This finding vividly illustrates how wealth, far from being evenly dispersed, gravitates toward specific global hubs that offer unparalleled access to capital, culture, and influence.
Among all cities, New York stands peerless at the summit of global affluence, hosting approximately 21,380 individuals whose net worth qualifies them as ultrawealthy. The city’s dominance reflects its enduring role as a nexus of international finance, luxury real estate, and high-value industries. Not far behind, Hong Kong claims the second position, with an estimated 17,215 ultra-wealthy residents, benefiting from its historical importance as an Asian financial powerhouse that bridges East and West. Following closely is Los Angeles, a city whose wealth flows from entertainment, technology, and innovation. Completing the top tier of this exclusive list are San Francisco, Chicago, Tokyo, London, Dallas, Washington, D.C., and Houston—cities that, though varied in geography and culture, share a common thread of economic dynamism and exceptional opportunity.
The United States, in particular, commands a remarkable share of this global prosperity. Altrata’s analysis reveals that 38% of all individuals falling into the ultra-high-net-worth category reside within American borders. As of June 2025, the total number of such individuals worldwide had reached roughly 510,810, marking an immense escalation since 2004, when the firm began tracking this demographic. This growth has dramatically outpaced the expansion of the general adult population—by a multiplier of seven—underscoring the accelerating pace at which wealth accumulation among the planet’s richest is widening the gap between elites and the median population.
Yet, even as the United States continues to dominate the global wealth landscape in absolute numbers, other regions are swiftly advancing. In terms of the rate of increase of ultra-wealthy populations, America’s preeminence faces new challengers. Interestingly, no American city appears among the projected top ten for ultrawealthy population growth through 2030. Instead, cities such as Oslo in Norway, along with India’s burgeoning metropolises of Bengaluru and Hyderabad, have surged to the forefront. These emerging centers exemplify how shifting economic power and entrepreneurial expansion outside the traditional Western hubs are reshaping the distribution of great fortunes around the world.
Altrata’s report also provides a revealing glimpse into the spending behaviors of these global elites, offering insight into how immense wealth translates into lifestyle. Collectively, the ultrawealthy spent an estimated $290 billion on luxury goods in the past year alone. Among these expenditures, transportation—encompassing private jets, superyachts, and high-end vehicles—accounts for the largest share, symbolizing both status and the freedom that limitless mobility affords. Unsurprisingly, luxury brands and producers of premium goods have increasingly refined their strategies to appeal specifically to this rarefied clientele. Enterprises catering exclusively to the richest of the rich, rather than attempting to attract the broader luxury consumer base, have typically demonstrated greater resilience and profitability. This trend highlights how, in the modern global economy, the preferences of a concentrated elite can exert a defining influence on entire industries, shaping the future of luxury consumption and the geography of global affluence.
Sourse: https://www.businessinsider.com/top-10-cities-worlds-wealthiest-live-new-york-hong-kong-2025-10
