Want more money? Move to America’s highest paying cities

Surprising mid-sized cities offer the highest pay

A big number on a paycheck doesn’t always mean a high-flying life, nor does a fancy job in a big city. In fact, according to a new list from Trulia, the Americans taking home the most cash live in some pretty surprising places.

America's highest paying cities

Trulia recently looked at the salaries, economies and housing costs of cities across the country to determine just where American salaries are the highest.

Surprisingly, Birmingham, Alabama emerged as the nation’s most flush-with-cash city. The average Birmingham resident makes more than $86K once adjusted for cost of living.

After living costs are taken out, Birmingham residents actually make about $10,000 more than those in San Francisco and a whopping $17,000 more than New Yorkers. The city’s Irondale neighborhood is a particularly good deal, according to Trulia, offering a median home price of just $147K, a quick commute to downtown and an influx of new construction.

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St. Louis came in at No. 2 for highest salary, with the average resident taking home $84K. The city’s home to 10 Fortune 500 companies and local unemployment is lower than the national average.

Just behind St. Louis was El Paso, Texas, where residents make a little under $84,500. El Paso’s home to Fort Bliss Army Base – the city’s biggest employer – and the local economy is projected to grow 2 percent over the next year. Residents in El Paso actually make about $7,000 a year more than fellow Texans in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro.

Affordable homes: the country’s 10 hottest neighborhoods

With an adjusted average salary of over $84K, Fresno, California came in at No. 4. Homes in the area cost a mere fraction of nearby San Francisco and Los Angeles, and the city is quickly gaining ground in the tech world, with dozens of software companies calling Fresno home.

Get today’s mortgage rates

If you’re considering a move, don’t just look at the number on your potential paychecks. Make sure to factor in costs of living and other local expenses to get a clear picture of what lifestyle you can afford in that city. And to make the most of your cash, be sure to shop around and get the best mortgage rate, too.