Just now, I was looking into the wealthiest cities in China and realized that their economic development models are truly different. According to data, Shanghai leads with an average income of 88,300 CNY, followed by Beijing with 85,000 CNY. But what’s interesting is that other cities are also developing very rapidly.

Shenzhen ranks third with 81,100 CNY, and it is the world’s largest technology hub (competing with Silicon Valley). Big companies like Huawei, Tencent, BYD, and DJI all have their headquarters here. Guangzhou with 77,800 CNY is also not far behind—it is the capital of Guangdong Province, which has the highest GDP in China.

But for me, the surprise is Suzhou (77,500 CNY). It once led the world in industrial output value, always competing with Shanghai and Shenzhen to win the No. 1 spot. Hangzhou (76,700 CNY), thanks to its position as the capital of Zhejiang Province, attracts a great deal of capital and talent.

The wealthiest cities in China also include Xuzhou (75,000 CNY), home to the world’s largest port, and Jining (72,900 CNY), where the private economy is thriving, and where billionaires such as the founder of Nongfu Spring were born. I see a common trend: China’s wealthiest cities are usually located in high-growth economic regions, with strong infrastructure and robust support policies for private businesses.

Overall, to find a high-paying job in China, choosing one of these cities is the right decision.