3 of the US’s most expensive school districts are in California — here’s how much you need to make to send your kids there

Getting your kids into one of California’s most sought-after public school districts may require more than good grades, it could take a household income north of $300,000.

Three Golden State school districts landed among the 50 wealthiest in the country, with the average family earning well into six figures, highlighting the steep cost of living in communities known for highly regarded public schools.

Piedmont City Unified School District ranked highest in California at No. 11 nationally, according to a new study by MoneyLion, which analyzed 2024 American Community Survey income data for unified school districts.

Families in Piedmont earn an average household income of $414,165, while the district’s median household income tops $250,000.

La Canada Unified School District came in at No. 29, with an average household income of $346,340 and a median of $247,670.

Palo Alto Unified School District rounded out California’s showing at No. 49.

Households there report an average income of $305,288, while the median household income is $218,111.

While California claimed three spots, New York dominated the rankings with 18 of the nation’s 50 wealthiest school districts.

Scarsdale Union Free School District in New York topped the list overall, where the average household income reaches $619,839, nearly $125,000 higher than second-ranked Riverdale School District 51J in Oregon, where families average $495,040.

Texas was the only other state with multiple districts outside the coasts, placing Highland Park Independent School District in Dallas County at No. 6 and Carroll Independent School District at No. 16. Alabama’s Mountain Brook City School District was the only other non-coastal entry, ranking No. 37.

At the other end of the top 50, Livingston Township School District in New Jersey still required an average household income of $302,041 to make the cut.