In modern-world 's growing economy, the richest cities in the world are not just a vanity metric to judge the status of city life. Instead, wealthy cities reflect the opportunities for visionary humans who can count on the options to make big fortunes. You might be interested in knowing the top 10 wealthiest cities in the world where the elite resides, relocate and invest as connecting with these cities open doors to success. These cities are global economic power hubs and reflect a new way of living for wealthy people.
However, despite these cities reflecting the concentration of wealthy people, they prefer to have a Plan B to keep themselves secure via Second Citizenship by Investment Programs. The investment migration industry generates over $20 billion a year and that means richest people safeguard their global interests via multiple citizenships by utilizing a small portion of their wealth empire.
What Really Defines a Wealthy City in 2025?
It’s the first quarter of the 21st century and wealthy cities symbolize the value as they become the epicenters of economic power, tech revolution and social influence. Urban wealth isn’t just a showoff for high rise buildings and expensive suburbs, it is a confluence of capital flow and a desirable lifestyle for the elite.
Ultra rich people are empowered to shape the global financial markets, enable them for policy change and even culture norms. The wealthy cities act as a magnet for top-tier rich talent, making them crucial to a healthy global economy. The 2025 wealthy cities ranking is based on accumulation of private wealth, presence of high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth Individuals, quality of life and economic prosperity.
List of 10 Wealthy Cities in 2025
The list of 10 wealthiest cities in 2025 includes four US cities, three Asian cities, two European cities and one from the Pacific region. Here is the complete list of 10 richest cities:
1. New York, The Global Hub of Richest People
With 384,500 millionaires, 818 centi-millionaires and 66 billionaires, New York is the winner in the list of Top 10 wealthiest cities in the world. The report by Henley and Partner and New World Health, New York recorded 45% growth from 2014 to 2024. The city is home to financial data tycoon Michael Bloomberg, Julia Koch and many other billionaires. With an estimated $3 trillion private wealth along with luxurious real estate architecture, NYC ranks top on the list of richest places in the world.
With a gross metropolitan product (GMP) of $2.16 trillion and a headquarter of 43 companies listed in the Fortune 500 list. NYC is famous as the Capital of the World. The city is a global hub for commerce, worldwide banking, research, and technology.
2. The Bay Area, 98% Growth for Millionaires
The Bay Area (San Francisco Bay Area) secured second spot with the presence of 342,400 millionaires, showing an astonishing 98% growth from 2014 to 2024. The city is home to 756 centi-millionaires and 82 billionaires which is 16 more than New York’s billionaire population. The Bay Area includes Silicon Valley, and is known for tech innovation at global scale. The region is likely to bypass NYC to claim the first spot for accumulation of private wealth in a city. The Bay Area is famous for startups inspired by tech innovation and the AI revolution.
3. Tokyo, Wealthiest Asian City
Tokyo was once leader, now listed on third rank in the list of wealthiest cities at global scale. The city is richest in Asia as it is home to 292,300 millionaires, 262 centi-millionaires and 18 billionaires. The private wealth accumulation in Tokyo is estimated to be $2.5 trillion. The Japanese luxury real estate market, home of Fortune 500 companies and technological innovation attracts HNWIs to the capital of Japan.
4. Singapore, Asia’s Rising Wealth Magnet
Singapore is listed as the fourth wealthiest city in the world. With a millionaire’s population of 244,800, 336 centi-millionaires and 30 billionaires, the city has seen a sharp rise in accumulation of private wealth. People from various countries including India, China and Indonesia relocated to Singapore due to available opportunities.
A stable political environment, tax efficient system and state of the art financial infrastructure makes the city a preferred choice for HNWIs. With a growing concentration of private wealth, Singapore continues to redefine modern urban affluence in Asia and at global level.
5. Los Angeles, Third US City in Top 5 Wealthiest Cities
Los Angeles pushed back the financial center London to claim the fifth rank for richest places in the world. The city is home to 220,600 millionaires, 516 centi-millionaires and 45 billionaires. Surprisingly, Los Angeles is ranked third globally for the number of centi-millionaires and billionaires. First and second spots are also filled by the US cities, i.e., New York and The Bay Area. Los Angeles is home to billionaires including Rihanna, LeBron James, Kim Kardashian and Arnold Schwarzenegger.
6. London, European Financial Hub in Decline
London was once spotted in the list of Top 5 wealthiest places in the world, not anymore as the capital of the UK now slipped to sixth rank. Apart from 352 centi-millionaires and 33 billionaires, the European Financial Capital is home to 215,700 millionaires. The known billionaires from London include the Royal Caribbean heir Peter Preben Wilhelmsen and Len Blavatnik. With a recline of 12% millionaires, London is losing wealth to countries offering tax incentives. British millionaires are flocking to Portugal due to its appeal for affordable luxury living.
7. Paris, Second European City on 7th Spot for Wealthiest Cities
With 160,100 millionaires, the capital of France is spotted at seventh rank in the list of richest places in the world. The average price of prime real estate is valued at $10,000 per square meter. 277 centi-millionaires and 22 billionaires choose Paris as their home. The GDP (PPP) of over $1 trillion makes the city Europe’s richest region which is equivalent to the economy of Netherlands and Indonesia. The city is home to 29 Fortune 500 companies and the famous ones include Total, AXA, Carrefour and Peugeot.
8. Hong Kong, 3rd Richest Place in Asia and 8th in World
Hong Kong is the Asian financial center and is also home to 154,900 millionaires and 277 centi-millionaires, while 40 billionaires live in the city. Famous Crypto entrepreneurs Justin Sun and Yang Qiumei. The city maintains its private wealth despite recent economic challenges. Hong Kong’s private wealth accumulation is estimated at $1.7 trillion.
9. Sydney, Only City from Pacific Region
With 152,900 millionaires, 224 centi-millionaires and 22 billionaires, Sydney secured ninth spot in the list of richest places of the world. The millionaires population grew by 28% during 2014 to 2024 period. As per estimates, Sydney private wealth accumulation is valued at $1.4 trillion.
10. Chicago, 4th US City in Top 10 Wealthiest Cities List
With 127,100 millionaires and 295 centi-millionaires, Chicago is the fourth US city in the list of top 10 wealthiest cities. The city is also home to 25 billionaires. The city’s millionaires population grew by 24% during the last decade. The city is home to 35 Fortune 500 lists.
Conclusion
The year 2025 highlights the shifting dynamics of global wealth. With four cities in the top 10 wealthiest cities, the US is still a land of dreams for millions. The list of rich places in the world showcase the fertile lands for wealth generation. London and Moscow are on the declining side as millionaires are relocating from both cities to find a new home. The list not only gives insights about the world's millionaires population but also where the future of global business, luxury and influence is being shaped.