10. San Diego, California: more than $141,648
• How much money it takes to be in the top 1% in California: $453,772
• Median income in San Diego: $70,824
• Metro-area population: 3.3 million
San Diego’s very diverse economy is comprised of U.S. national defense, tourism, international trade, research and development, and manufacturing. San Diego has been named by Forbes Magazine as the best city in America to start a small business or startup venture. The southern California city has made tremendous capital out of its deepwater port, which allows the city to host the only significant submarine and shipbuilding yards on the Pacific Coast. Multiple prominent private national defense contractors for the United States Department of Defense were founded and remain headquartered in the city. The commercial aspects of San Diego’s port and its geographic location on the Mexican border make it an important hub for international commerce and the city has federal authorization to act as a Foreign Trade Zone. Because of the city’s mild and pleasant climate, beaches, and attractions, tourism makes up a major part of San Diego’s economy.