Being in the top 1% of earners doesn't necessarily mean you're rich or that your odds of a secure retirement are 100%. That's especially true if you live in California or Washington, D.C., where pricey real estate and a high cost of living can take a big bite out of your budget.
It's not just what you earn, but where you live, that determines whether you're truly rich or just doing OK. Being "rich" in the United States is shaped as much by geography as it is income, according to a BestBrokers analysis that quantifies the income needed to join the elite 1% club in each state.
