Brooklyn Income and Wealth Overview
The U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey reports Brooklyn's median household income around $72,000, while the New York City Department of City Planning shows the borough's mean household income higher, reflecting a mix of high earners and lower earners. Income varies sharply by neighborhood, with some areas near the national median and others far above it. U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey
Wealth concentration in Brooklyn is uneven. High-net-worth households cluster in areas such as DUMBO, Brooklyn Heights, Park Slope, and Cobble Hill, while large parts of East New York, Brownsville, and parts of Flatbush have lower median incomes and higher poverty rates. The Federal Reserve's Survey of Consumer Finances and New York State Comptroller data show the borough's top income quintile earns a disproportionate share of total income. Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finances
Highest-Income Neighborhoods and Companies
Top Earning ZIP Codes and Real Estate
ZIP codes such as 11201 (DUMBO/Boerum Hill), 11205 (Brooklyn Heights), and 11215 (Park Slope) report some of the highest median incomes in Brooklyn, driven by proximity to Manhattan, tech and finance employers, and luxury housing stock. Real estate data from StreetEasy and PropertyShark show median sale prices in these areas well above the borough average, often exceeding $1.5 million for condos and co-ops. StreetEasy
Major companies with Brooklyn offices include tech firms, media companies, and finance operations that contribute to high earning potential in certain corridors. The Brooklyn Navy Yard hosts thousands of jobs in manufacturing, tech, and film, while firms in Williamsburg and Downtown Brooklyn offer roles in finance, advertising, and professional services. Brooklyn Navy Yard
Cost of Living and Economic Inequality
Housing and Daily Expenses
Brooklyn's cost of living remains above the national average, with rent and property taxes consuming a large share of household budgets. MIT Living Wage Calculator and NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development data show that a single adult in Brooklyn needs well above the federal poverty line to cover housing, food, transportation, and healthcare. MIT Living Wage Calculator
Economic inequality in Brooklyn is visible in parallel trends: rapid luxury development in some tracts and persistent affordability challenges in others. The NYC Department of City Planning and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report that higher-income Brooklyn households spend a smaller share of income on housing, while lower-income households often pay over half their income on rent. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Brooklyn vs. Other NYC Boroughs and U.S. Cities
Income Ranking Among NYC Boroughs
Among the five NYC boroughs, Brooklyn typically ranks in the middle for median household income, behind Manhattan and Staten Island but ahead of the Bronx and, in some measures, Queens. U.S. Census Bureau data and NYC Comptroller reports show Brooklyn's income distribution wider than the city average, with both high earners and low earners concentrated in distinct areas.