Money has a funny way of moving when we aren't looking. You might think you know where the world's deepest pockets are—probably picturing a guy in a tailored suit on Wall Street or maybe someone sipping tea in a London townhouse. And honestly, you'd be right, mostly. But the map of global wealth is shifting in ways that make the 2026 landscape look a lot different than it did just five years ago.
We aren't just talking about GDP or how many skyscrapers a city can jam into its skyline. We're talking about the World's Wealthiest Cities based on where the "high-net-worth individuals" (HNWIs) actually live, work, and pay taxes. This isn't just a list of expensive places to buy a coffee; it’s a breakdown of the epicenters of global capital.
Why New York Still Holds the Crown (For Now)
It’s almost boring at this point, but New York City is still the king. As of the latest 2026 data, the Big Apple hosts over 384,500 millionaires. That is a staggering number. Think about that next time you're squeezed onto a crowded L-train—literally one in every 22 residents is a millionaire.
The city isn't just resting on its laurels either. While everyone was talking about people fleeing to Florida during the pandemic, the wealth actually stayed put or came back with a vengeance. Between the stock market gains of 2024 and 2025 and the massive influx of tech-driven capital, New York’s lead remains massive. It’s the world’s ultimate financial safe haven.
The Rise of the "Centi-Millionaire"
In New York, having a million bucks doesn't even make you "rich" by local standards. The real metric experts like Andrew Amoils from New World Wealth look at is the centi-millionaire—those with $100 million or more in investable assets. NYC has 818 of them. That’s more than most countries.
The Bay Area is Breathing Down New York's Neck
If New York is the old guard, the Bay Area is the aggressive newcomer that just won’t stop growing. This region—which includes San Francisco and Silicon Valley—is basically a wealth-generating machine.
Look at the growth rates. While NYC grew its millionaire population by about 45% over the last decade, the Bay Area exploded by nearly 100%. It’s sitting at 342,400 millionaires. Honestly, if this trajectory continues, we might see a changing of the guard by 2028 or 2030.
The driver? AI. Obviously.
The massive capital flows into companies like Nvidia, OpenAI, and Anthropic have created a new class of "paper millionaires" who are now cashing out. But there's a catch. The Bay Area also has some of the most dramatic wealth inequality on the planet. You’ve got billionaires living three blocks away from people who can’t afford a gallon of milk. It’s a strange, polarized reality.
The Asian Powerhouses: Tokyo and Singapore
Tokyo used to be the undisputed number two. Now, it’s slipping a bit, sitting at number three with roughly 292,300 millionaires. Japan’s capital is unique because its wealth is a bit "quieter." You don’t see the flashy displays of riches quite as much as you do in Los Angeles or Dubai. But make no mistake, the old-money corporate wealth in Tokyo is deep.
Then there’s Singapore.
Singapore is the biggest threat to the status quo.
It is widely considered the most business-friendly city on Earth. In 2026, it sits at number four with 242,400 millionaires. Why is everyone moving there?
- Tax rates that don't make you want to cry.
- Political stability that is rare these days.
- A "Family Office" regime that makes it incredibly easy for the ultra-rich to manage their money.
Wealthy families from China, India, and even Europe are flocking to the Lion City. It’s basically becoming the Switzerland of Asia, but with better food and much more humidity.
The Top 10 Wealthiest Cities in the World (The 2026 Leaderboard)
I promised a list, and here it is. This is based on the most recent 2025-2026 reports from firms like Henley & Partners.
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- New York City, USA: 384,500 millionaires.
- The Bay Area, USA: 342,400 millionaires.
- Tokyo, Japan: 292,300 millionaires.
- Singapore: 242,400 millionaires.
- London, UK: 215,700 millionaires. (Actually saw a 12% decrease over the last decade).
- Los Angeles, USA: 212,100 millionaires.
- Paris, France: 165,000 millionaires.
- Hong Kong: 154,900 millionaires.
- Sydney, Australia: 152,900 millionaires.
- Beijing, China: 125,600 millionaires.
The London Problem: Why the UK is Leaking Millionaires
Wait, London at number five? And it's shrinking?
Yep.
For the first time in decades, London is struggling to keep its wealthy residents. Since Brexit, the "non-dom" tax status changes, and general economic stagnation, the UK’s capital has lost about 12% of its millionaire population.
People are moving to Dubai, Singapore, and even Milan. Milan is offering a flat tax for new residents that is incredibly tempting for the ultra-wealthy. London is still a massive financial hub, but it’s no longer the "must-live" destination it was in the early 2000s. It’s a sobering reminder that wealth is mobile. If you make it too hard for rich people to keep their money, they just... leave.
The Wild Cards: Dubai and Sydney
You can't talk about the world's wealthiest cities without mentioning Dubai. It hasn't quite cracked the top 10 yet (it’s currently around 18th), but its growth is insane—over 100% in ten years. It’s a tax-free playground. If you’re a crypto founder or a hedge fund manager, Dubai is basically the promised land right now.
And then there's Sydney.
Sydney is quietly becoming a monster in the wealth space. Australia has one of the highest "wealth per adult" metrics in the world, and Sydney is where most of that stays. It’s safe, it’s beautiful, and it’s far away from the geopolitical mess of the Northern Hemisphere. For many HNWIs, that’s worth more than any tax break.
What Actually Makes a City Wealthy?
It isn't just luck. The cities that win usually have three things:
- Liquidity: Deep stock markets and easy access to capital.
- Safety: Rich people hate risk. They want to know their house won't be seized.
- Connectivity: You need to be able to fly to London or NYC in a few hours.
What Most People Get Wrong About Wealth Rankings
A lot of people look at these lists and think, "Who cares? This doesn't affect me."
But it does.
When millionaires move to a city, they bring "indirect" wealth. They start businesses, they fund startups, and they pay for services. But—and this is a big but—they also drive up real estate prices until the average person can’t afford to live there anymore.
Look at Sydney or the Bay Area. The "wealth" is there, but the "livability" for a teacher or a nurse is plummeting. That is the great paradox of the modern wealthy city. You want the capital, but you might not want the cost of living that comes with it.
Your Next Steps: How to Use This Information
If you’re looking at these cities for investment or a career move, don’t just chase the biggest number. New York is great, but it’s saturated.
Watch the growth cities.
If I were betting on the future, I’d be looking at Singapore or even Austin and Miami. They are climbing the ranks faster than the established giants.
- For Investors: Look at real estate in the "feeder" cities—places just outside these hubs where the "wealthy-but-not-billionaire" crowd is moving.
- For Professionals: The Bay Area and NYC still offer the highest salaries, but the competition is brutal. Singapore is where the "new" money is flowing, especially in fintech.
Wealth isn't static. It’s a living, breathing thing that follows the path of least resistance. Right now, that path is leading straight to the Pacific and the Middle East.
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If you are planning to relocate to any of these hubs, start by analyzing the current visa requirements—like Singapore's EntrePass or the UAE's Golden Visa. These programs are specifically designed to siphon wealth from the traditional Western hubs into these rising stars. Keep an eye on the 2027 forecasts; we expect more shifts as global tax treaties continue to evolve.