Big cities shown to benefit the rich

Major cities across Australia are getting richer but there is growing inequality among those living in them.

Australia's major cities are benefiting the rich more than the poor, new research shows. (AAP)

Australia's major cities are benefiting the rich more than the poor, research shows.

An analysis of people's incomes in relation to city sizes has found the larger and more dense a city's population becomes, the more likely higher incomes will grow faster than lower incomes.

University of Sydney researchers say the findings suggest cities like Sydney and Melbourne have a disproportionate accumulation of the highest income earners who have the advantage of affording the best services and infrastructure.