• WalletHub ranked states where people have the highest income, using several different measurements.
• Some states with mega-high earners didn't rank high due their fairly average median incomes.
• California landed outside of the top 10 as many high earners are leaving the state.

The median income in the US is about $83,000 — and you could make more or less than that number depending on where you live. But which states are the highest earning overall?

A new WalletHub study used three income-related measures to rank states: the average annual income of the top 5%, the average annual income of the bottom 20%, and the median annual household income of the state's entire population.

The resulting rankings include some surprises. None of the states known for being home to billionaires, like New York, California, and Florida, took the top spot.

WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo said New York's income disparity is a reason it came up just short of the No. 1 ranking. While the top 5% makes a lot, the state's middle class isn't making nearly as much.

"In terms of just the median annual income, which I think is what most people are interested in as far as that's a reflection of the middle class, New York is a little above average in terms of its median annual income at $96,000," Lupo told Business Insider.

One state that barely cracked the top 15 is California; a state known for movie stars and moguls. Lupo posited that the Golden State's lower ranking on the list may have been impacted by several top earners leaving.

"What's going on in California also is the number of high-wealth individuals that are fleeing the state," Lupo said. "A lot of wealth is moving out of the state and into more tax-friendly states like Texas, Florida, and Tennessee. So that's a huge driver."

Read on for the 15 states where people have the highest income, according to WalletHub.

15. Florida

Total score: 49.89

Average annual income of top 5%: $507,073

Median annual income: $75,737

Average annual income of bottom 20%: $16,378

14. Georgia

Total score: 52.76

Average annual income of top 5%: $516,260

Median annual income: $72,437

Average annual income of bottom 20%: $17,301

13. California

Total score: 53.45

Average annual income of top 5%: $482,584

Median annual income: $133,974

Average annual income of bottom 20%: $14,662

12. District of Columbia

Total score: 54.11

Average annual income of top 5%: $488,074

Median annual income: $174,287

Average annual income of bottom 20%: $9,579

11. Texas

Total score: 54.93

Average annual income of top 5%: $520,378

Median annual income: $75,905

Average annual income of bottom 20%: $17,651

10. Massachusetts

Total score: 57.11

Average annual income of top 5%: $498,062

Median annual income: $137,563

Average annual income of bottom 20%: $14,440

9. Illinois

Total score: 57.88

Average annual income of top 5%: $533,840

Median annual income: $83,277

Average annual income of bottom 20%: $16,813

8. Minnesota

Total score: 58.66

Average annual income of top 5%: $500,074

Median annual income: $90,632

Average annual income of bottom 20%: $20,662

7. Colorado

Total score: 59.65

Average annual income of top 5%: $498,587

Median annual income: $106,187

Average annual income of bottom 20%: $19,588

6. Utah

Total score: 61.24

Average annual income of top 5%: $475,515

Median annual income: $98,858

Average annual income of bottom 20%: $24,307

5. Connecticut

Total score: 64.73

Average annual income of top 5%: $543,016

Median annual income: $122,032

Average annual income of bottom 20%: $15,095

4. Washington

Total score: 65.23

Average annual income of top 5%: $522,328

Median annual income: $112,933

Average annual income of bottom 20%: $19,082

3. New Jersey

Total score: 66.08

Average annual income of top 5%: $527,376

Median annual income: $125,766

Average annual income of bottom 20%: $17,418

2. New York

Total score: 66.27

Average annual income of top 5%: $585,523

Median annual income: $96,746

Average annual income of bottom 20%: $13,633

1. Virginia

Total score: 67.57

Average annual income of top 5%: $545,097

Median annual income: $95,339

Average annual income of bottom 20%: $19,671

• I love taking a quick Amtrak ride to Oceanside, California, a low-key beach city.
• It costs around $30 to get there from Los Angeles, and I've found affordable places to stay, too.
• The gorgeous beaches are relatively quiet, and there are great restaurants within walking distance.

There's nothing I love more than skipping town for a beachy weekend getaway.

As much as I like living in Los Angeles, sometimes I need a break from the city's traffic, crowds, and hustle culture. One of my favorite places to explore is Oceanside, a coastal military city in San Diego County.

I first discovered this spot in 2022, after looking up Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner route. On my first trip there, I fell in love with Oceanside's surfer vibes, vibrant food and culture, and surprising affordability.

Even getting there is easy — you can take a two-hour train for around $30 from LA, or an hourlong, $18 ride from San Diego.

Since my initial trip, I've been to O'side three times on the train, and I'm always discovering new things to love. Here's what makes a train ride down to Oceanside the perfect weekend reset.

Taking the train helps me immediately ease into vacation mode

For me, the trip really begins the moment I board the train. Without the stress of driving, I can relax with some of my favorite hobbies like reading, watching Netflix, or writing in my journal.

Although it takes almost an hour longer to get there by train than by car, the free time makes it worth it.

When my husband comes along, we like to talk and have a glass of wine or a snack from the onboard café. It's nice to just enjoy each other's company and watch the sparkling ocean views rush by.

Spending time by the water is always at the top of my list

When I arrive, I usually head straight to the beach. Depending on my mood, I'll either lie in the sand or walk the boardwalk (called The Strand) with a cold drink in hand.

Without fail, there are always surfers out on the water making good use of the prime wave real estate. On one of my last visits, I even stumbled across a surf competition right by the pier. I loved watching the surfers expertly maneuver through the ocean.

Although I'm not a surfer myself, watching them does inspire me to get out on the water, too. I usually head over to Harbor Village to rent a kayak — it's such a thrill to paddle out and watch sea lions sunning themselves underneath the iconic Oceanside sign.

The walkable food and drink scene keeps me coming back

I'm a big foodie, so trying local restaurants is always on my agenda when traveling. For a laid-back beach town, the food and drink scene in Oceanside is impressive, with everything from casual cafés and gastropubs to Michelin-starred fine dining.

I can fill up on banana lattes and avocado toast at Banana Dang in the morning, grab some fresh ceviche overlooking the harbor at Lighthouse Oyster Bar & Grill, and relax in the evening with drinks and apps at the Cococabana rooftop bar.

Best of all, most of my favorite places are all within walking distance of each other, making it convenient to get around without a car.

Art and culture are easy to find here

Although I could easily spend all my time at the beach, O'side also has an arts scene that I've really come to enjoy.

Murals are everywhere, especially along Artist Alley, a strip of funky shops that regularly hosts artisan markets. I've also come across tai chi classes on the beach, street fairs like the weekly Sunset Market, and an art walk and drum circle in front of the public library.

For a more traditional art experience, I also love checking out the Oceanside Museum of Art to view their rotating exhibits or attend an event.

Later in the day, I love catching some live music at The Jazzy Wishbone or Sound by the Sea, a local listening bar.

It's an easy, affordable beachside escape from LA or San Diego

There are a lot of beach towns in SoCal, but staying right by the water is usually pretty expensive. Oceanside, however, is surprisingly affordable, making it easy to plan a weekend close to the beach.

Every time I've gone, I've found overnight accommodations — even two-bedroom rentals — for under $200 a night.

Between how easy it is to arrive by train, navigate the area, and stick to a budget while seeing and eating everything Oceanside has to offer, this is the rare kind of beach escape that actually feels relaxing from start to finish.