The standard of living in the Boston area has grown faster than almost every other major urban area in America, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.

The area’s per capita income (PCI) grew at an annual rate of 6.38 percent over the past 40 years, ranking third nationwide.

The Bridgeport-Stamford, Conn., area ranked highest with a 6.52 percent annual pace between 1970 and 2010, the fastest pace of any of the country’s 75 largest metro areas during that time.

Rounding out the top five in terms of PCI growth rate were New Orleans (6.45 percent), San Jose and Baton Rouge (both at 6.37 percent), according to the data.

Bridgeport-Stamford posted the nation’s highest PCI in 2010, at $76,070. San Francisco-Oakland was a distant second, at $61,208.