8. New York City: more than $143,794
• How much money it takes to be in the top 1% in New York: $517,557
• Median income in New York City: $71,897
• Metro-area population: 20.2 million
The Big Apple. New York City is the largest in the United States by population and has the most powerful and influential economy in the world, leading America and the globe in finance, culture, and media. A global powerhouse of commerce, New York City is home to the world’s largest financial sector on Wall Street, as well as major retailing, global trade, transportation, tourism, real estate, media, marketing, law firms, accounting, insurance, theater, fashion, and the arts. As technology transforms commerce in the 21st century, New York City’s massive economy is being serviced by a rapidly expanding tech industry referred to as Silicon Alley. New York is also a major port city, which was originally a major part of its success as it historically developed into a world class Alpha city.