Residential real estate in America's most sought-after zip codes certainly doesn't come cheap. Using ProperyShark's annual survey combined with Redfin price data, we've selected 10 wow-factor properties in the country's premier neighbourhoods so you can see for yourself. From stunning houses in the Hamptons to statement homes in Silicon Valley, find out what the average price (or thereabouts) in these upscale areas will stretch to.

This super-desirable zip code, the most pricey in Texas and the South as a whole, encompasses several leafy suburbs to the west of Austin, including West Lake Hills, Davenport Ranch, Rivercrest and Rollingwood. Sprawling mansions characterise the area, which celebrities like Matthew McConaughey and Sandra Bullock call home. The average house price here is a steep $2 million (£1.6m).

Listed with Engel & Völkers for just under $2.1 million (£1.7m), this dreamy stone mansion in the well-heeled enclave of Davenport Ranch, which is renowned for its posh golf club and high-end shopping village, boasts five bedrooms and a generous seven bathrooms. 

The mansion wows with three capacious living areas, a gourmet kitchen with Calacutta marble tabletops, custom cabinetry and solid brass fixtures and a number of unique features, including a 'secret' kids' playroom or hangout for teens.

The icing on the cake, the mansion comes with a deluxe detached guesthouse complete with a full kitchen, living room, bedroom, bathroom and gym, not to mention an outdoor kitchen, covered cabana and a sensational resort-style swimming pool.

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This in-demand Hamptons zip covers the Southampton hamlet of Water Mill, which is named after its historic mill. Highlights of the neighbourhood include the beautiful Flying Point Beach and eateries like the Princess Diner and Suki Zuki. Jennifer Lopez is the most famous resident in the area where house prices average $2.8 million (£2.2m).

Bursting with rustic charm, this clapboard cottage is on the market with the Corcoran Group for $2.9 million (£2.3m). Nestled on 1.4 acres, the five-bedroom, four-bathroom property has a gorgeous gunite swimming pool as well as a gazebo and six-stall horse barn.

The tastefully decorated living room impresses with a comforting fireplace, perfect for relaxing in during the winter months, while the chef's kitchen, great room and dining room are all finished to the highest spec imaginable.

The master bedroom also graces the first floor and it too has its very own fireplace. The remaining four bedrooms upstairs are equally cosy and offer breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside, which is picture-postcard perfect.

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Located on a peninsula that juts into Lake Washington and faces the city of Seattle, Medina, which is covered by the zip code 98039, is famed for its waterfront mansions and tranquil avenues lined with evergreens and shrubs. The typical house price in the area, which is home to tech billionaires like Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos, is a hefty $3 million (£2.4m).

Up for sale via Windermere Real Estate, this Japanese-inspired minimal masterpiece has an asking price of $3.4 million (£2.7m). Designed by Lane Williams Architects, the blissful abode, which was built in 2000, offers four bedrooms and the same amount of bathrooms and a whole lot more besides.

The understated house truly is the last word in simplicity and serenity. Like the other rooms in the property, the open-concept living area is accented by mahogany casework and bamboo flooring, which lend the interior a warm, inviting vibe. The kitchen is kitted out with cutting-edge appliances and the home also features a computer room, ideal for the tech executives that flock to the area.

Outside, the lush garden that spans almost half an acre is a haven of relaxation and there's a fabulous swimming pool on-site with a Japanese screened pavilion that houses a wet bar, mini-refrigerator and three-quarter bath.

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This swish postcode specifically covers Balboa Peninsula Point, the most coveted neighbourhood in the city of Newport Beach, which is located to the south of Los Angeles. Famous residents of Newport Beach, which offers the ultimate Californian beach lifestyle, have included Michelle Pfeiffer, Kobe Bryant, John Wayne and Shirley Temple. House prices in the area average at $3.1 million (£2.5m).

This unique mansion is located on the palm-lined East Balboa Boulevard, a stone's throw away from the beach. Rocking seven bedrooms and seven bathrooms, the property is on the market with Villa Real Estate for just shy of $4 million (£3.2m).

Packed with sophisticated features, the house is a real find. The most alluring include a sweeping spiral staircase, smart sunken living room and the gourmet kitchen, which benefits from pricey Viking appliances, along with a master suite with a spa bath, gym and massive walk-in closet.

The home's pièce de résistance though is its glamorous home theatre. Decorated in glitzy black and gold with a vaulted ceiling, comfy leather seating and large cinema screen, this space has got it going on.

Ultra-exclusive Fisher Island, which this zip covers, is only accessible by boat. Residents pay an initial fee of $250,000 (£198k) plus an annual service charge of $22,256 (£18k) to reside here. No wonder it's America's most millionaire-heavy zip. Needless to say, the average property price is $3.2 million (£2.5m). Celebrities who have lived on the island include Oprah Winfrey and Boris Becker.

This Mediterranean-style penthouse is listed with Luxury Living Realty priced at $3.3 million (£2.6m). Situated in the island's chic Bayside Village development (shown in the previous image), the condo has three bedrooms and three-and-a-half bathrooms.

The classy pad is mainly open-plan with a large living area that includes a stylish galley kitchen with a rectangular island and top of the line appliances, as well as a space for dining, in addition of course to the relaxation area.

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Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, Palo Alto has everything from world-class restaurants to swish art galleries and fancy boutiques. The city, which is home to Stanford University, has a slew of billionaire residents, all of whom are tech moguls. They include Mark Zuckerberg and Larry Page. The typical house price here is $3.7 million (£2.9m).

You have to pay considerably more than the average house price to score a wow-factor property in Palo Alto with this attractive Arts and Crafts-style home coming in at a budget-busting $4.5 million (£3.6m). The house is on the market with Compass.

The two-story property, which has a very nice porch and stacked stone-clad facade, has a total of four bedrooms and four bathrooms. The locus of the home is its open-plan kitchen and family room, which has a grey colour scheme and mid-century modern furnishings.

The master suite upstairs features similar on-trend décor and has a luxe ensuite. Outside, there's a compact yard with a brick patio area – ideal for barbecues – as well as a manicured lawn and mature shrubs.

The zip code 10013 encompasses the hip Manhattan neighbourhood of Tribeca and includes parts of SoHo. These areas brim with warehouse-style apartments, fashionable stores and destination restaurants and hotels. Notable residents include Beyoncé and Jay-Z, Taylor Swift and Robert de Niro. The average residential property price here is $3.8 million (£3m).

Available via Halstead, this roomy loft apartment is listed for more or less the median price for the zip code. The expansive property is located in a boutique co-op building that dates from 1909 and has nine floors in total.

While the loft has just two bedrooms and two bathrooms, it more than makes up for this lack of rooms with the 56-foot entertaining-friendly living and dining area, which has a high ceiling, enormous windows and quarter-sawn oak flooring.

In any case, the bedrooms are sizable, at least by Manhattan standards and the bathrooms are fairly large to boot. The property also rocks a big walk-in closet, a must for any self-respecting New York fashionista.

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This particular zip covers a relatively small area in Boston's Back Bay that is principally made up of luxury hotels, offices and retail space. Top draws include the Mandarin Oriental and Sheraton Hotels. Boston Public Library is also located within the zip code area where the average price of a residential property is $4.7 million (£3.7m), making it the third most expensive locale in America.

The cheapest property on offer in 02199 right now is a Mandarin Oriental residence priced at an eye-watering $12.5 million (£9.9m), so we've opted instead for this elegant brownstone in a neighbouring zip. The house is on the market with Sotheby's International Realty for $4.8 million (£3.8m).

In fact, Back Bay is notable for its rows of fine Victorian brownstone homes, which are among the best examples of 19th-century residential architecture in the US. This particular beauty has three bedrooms and five bathrooms, along with plenty of living space.

Exquisitely renovated, the brownstone has an abundance of enticing features, from its open-plan kitchen and living room and the master suite complete with a Japanese tub to the roof terrace and oversized patio area out back.

Situated next to the aforementioned 11976, this illustrious Hamptons zip code includes the village of Sagaponack and parts of Bridgehampton. Current and former residents of the area, which is dotted with gourmet food stores, cafés and wineries, range from Jimmy Fallon and Billy Joel to Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein. The typical house price here is $5.9 million (£4.7m).

This landmark mansion was designed by Julian and Barbara Neski who brought their Modernist vision to the Hamptons during the 1970s and 1980s. The five-bedroom, four-bathroom property is in a prime location not far from the beach. It is on the market with the Corcoran Group.

Set over three stories, the futuristic home is just the thing for a deep-pocketed buyer who isn't taken by the rustic cottage-style properties that abound in the area and would prefer something more contemporary. As you'd expect, the interiors are minimal with lots of clean lines.

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A phenomenal pool and spa tub built into the decking are situated at the rear of the property. Other millionaire and billionaire-worthy features of the mansion include a library, huge roof terrace with sea views and a stunning master suite.

 

Now for America's most expensive zip code: 94027 covers the town of Atherton in Silicon Valley. The next town along from Palo Alto, it is synonymous with extreme wealth. Like neighbouring Palo Alto, Atherton has more than its fair share of tech billionaire denizens including Google's Eric Schmidt and former eBay CEO Meg Whitman. The typical home here will set you back a jaw-dropping $6.7 million (£5.3m).

Priced at a couple of hundred thou under the average house price for the area, this treehouse-style residence is listed with Compass. Built in 1973, the remarkable six-bedroom, six-bathroom property was recently given a tech makeover.

Bound to appeal to loaded tech execs, the house has been fitted with Ethernet wiring, a Nest security system and a number of Google Home Hubs for state-of-the-art smart home connectivity. The décor is mid-century modern with lots of retro furniture and warm wood finishes.

As well as the wonderful high ceilings and extra-large windows, the property has a whole host of fantastic features. They include an elevator, chef's kitchen with Miele appliances, a master suite with a big walk-in closet and a pool with a full bath and built-in barbecue.

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