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.

October 28, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

A car drives through a puddle, making a large splash. Rain pours down.

California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour

If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.

October 28, 2026 - Grist

A pencil rendering of Foundry Park, which shows skyscrapers and public green spaces.

Chicago breaks ground on $3 billion megadevelopment

The new neighborhood, titled Foundry Park, will one day host 3,700 residences.

October 23, 2026 - Chicago Sun Times

A swamp in South Carolina with tall pale trees and Spanish moss in the water.

Satanic place names

From streams and lakes to valleys and canyons, I mapped more than 1,000 places named after the Devil.

October 31 - The Daily Yonder

A rendering of a high speed rain station in California, with wide platforms and a sleep train with yellow highlights.

California High-Speed Rail Authority CEO resigns after $600,000 scandal

Under Ian Choudri, the authority used taxpayer dollars to fund first class flights and trips to nightclubs.

October 30 - Cal Matters

 A bridge stretches across the Missouri River at Chamberlain, South Dakota.

Want to study the Missouri River? Soon, you may need unanimous approval from 10 states

Legislation would require 10 governors’ permission to study or build projects moving water outside the basin.

October 30 - South Dakota Searchlight