New U.S. Census data show that income inequality is greatest in several Bay Area counties, measured using the Gini index, which ranges from zero (equal incomes) to one (all income concentrated in one person’s hands). In 2025, Marin County led California at 0.56, followed by San Francisco at 0.53 and San Mateo at 0.50. The statewide index was 0.49 and the national figure was 0.48, making these three Bay Area counties the only California counties with values above the state average. Marin’s level was higher than that of every U.S. county except New York.
The disparities reflect the region’s concentration of high earners alongside residents with much lower incomes. The tech industry has created exceptionally well-paid jobs for a relatively small share of the population, widening the gap over recent decades; future public offerings by AI companies could further increase wealth for early employees and investors. Inequality is also elevated in Santa Clara, Alameda and Los Angeles counties, each at 0.49. By contrast, outer Bay Area counties - Contra Costa, Sonoma, Solano and Napa - range from 0.46 to 0.44, closer to the lower half of California counties and comparable to places including Sacramento, Kern, Monterey and San Joaquin.
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