The Top 18 Big Cities For Creating Wealth

2. Washington, D.C.

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People working and living in the nation's capital are making bank, with a high per capita GDP and surplus income. But they also have the highest debt burden.

Surplus Income: $20,419

Unemployment Rate (average 2010-2014): 6.62%

Per Capita GDP: $73,461

Homeownership Rate: 64.2%

Average Total Consumer Debt: $95,560

Average Mortgage Rate: 4.19%

Participation Rate in Employer-based Retirement Plans: 52.9%

4. Detroit

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While Detroit doesn’t necessarily have a dynamic job market, as BankRate.com points out, the city broke into the top five for building wealth due to its high savable income and low average consumer debt. On the other hand, it does have the highest unemployment rate among the cities ranked.

Surplus Income: $15,185

Unemployment Rate (average 2010-2014): 11.42%

Per Capita GDP: $49,653

Homeownership Rate: 74.6%

Average Total Consumer Debt: $44,531

Average Mortgage Rate: 4.2%

Participation Rate in Employer-based Retirement Plans: 45.2%

14. Atlanta

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Surplus Income: $12,839

Unemployment Rate (average 2010-2014): 9%

Per Capita GDP: $52,178

Homeownership Rate: 60.5%

Average Total Consumer Debt: $55,204

Average Mortgage Rate: 4.27%

Participation Rate in Employer-based Retirement Plans: 39%

16. Los Angeles

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Surplus Income: $10,234

Unemployment Rate (average 2010-2014): 9.98%

Per Capita GDP: $59,092

Homeownership Rate: 50.2%

Average Total Consumer Debt: $64,778

Average Mortgage Rate: 4.25%

Participation Rate in Employer-based Retirement Plans: 36.4%