Examining the Income Inequality of Cities and Metro Areas

A rising tide doesn't necessarily lift all boats—even in a time of (mostly) decreasing income inequality at the city level.

1 minute read

February 15, 2018, 9:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Aerial view of Pennsylvania Avenue facing U.S. Capitol building

Atlanta had the highest rates of income inequality of any U.S. city in 2016. | Sergey Novikov / Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C.

A recent study from the Brookings Institution examines income inequality at the city and metropolitan area level around the country. The major findings of the study, explained by a post sharing the new study:

  • Among big cities, Atlanta and Washington, D.C. exhibited the highest rates of income inequality in 2016.
  • Levels of inequality in cities reflect broader income disparities in metropolitan areas.
  • More cities experienced declines in income inequality from 2014 to 2016 than saw increases. 
  • In contrast to the city pattern, increases in metropolitan income inequality outnumbered declines.
  • Some cities posted stunning increases in top incomes from 2014 to 2016.
  • Income trends at the top of the distribution in cities and metro areas had little relationship to trends at the bottom of the distribution from 2014 to 2016. I

As a follow up to the article presenting the findings of the new report, an article by Axios  presents the report's findings in a graphic format. Caitlin Owens writes the post and Chris Canipe creates a helpful pair of infographics to help illustrate the cities with the largest and smallest income gaps. 

Wednesday, February 14, 2018 in Brookings

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

September 16, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

Overlapping highways

The state-sanctioned urbicide of Austin

People don’t kill cities. Freeways do.

September 8, 2026 - Benjamin Schneider

The Hoover Dam blocking the Colorado River. The river's water level is noticeably low. The cliffs surrounding the blue water are brown and jagged.

US to reduce Colorado River water deliveries to Mexico

A new Colorado Treaty amendment reduces Mexico’s Colorado River water allocation by 250,000 acre feet.

September 11, 2026 - The Arizona Republic

A cluster of wind turbines beneath a stormy sky, above a forest where the leaves are beginning to change colors.

5 New England states march closer to 800 megawatt wind energy project

Securing federal approval for the project may be complicated under the Trump administration, which has historically been hostile towards domestic wind power.

4 hours ago - Inside Climate News

People boarding a bus on Maryland's Orange Route.

Baltimore to break ground on $50 million Transit Priority Project

The project will bring faster bus trips, safer streets and better bike connections to Baltimore.

5 hours ago - Mass Transit

A brick building with a circular sign with the Airbnb logo hanging off of it.

Airbnb launches $250 million 'last-dollar financing' housing accelerator, makes first investment in Austin

The company will put $6.4 million towards affordable housing development in Texas’ capital.

6 hours ago - Smart Cities Dive

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.