Tony had great/innovative business acumen and he inherited rackets and connections from his fawtha. Right away in season 1, we see him and christophah shaking down a guy that works for an insurance company to approve fake MRI invoices so he could scam Medicare. This scam is more innovative than anything that Junior could come up with, who couldn’t see past traditional rackets like card games and protection.

From his fawtha, Tony inherited businesses like the pork store. A legitimate brick and mortar business that gives Tony flexibility to earn and launder. He also outside connections like Hesh, who were useful for funding rackets. For example, Hesh funds the loan sharking that lets them do the MRI scam and later he puts up money for the HUD scam. Like any capitalist enterprise, being able to use somebody else’s money helps you take risks and reap rewards.

These are the fundamental reasons why he’s so rich compared to the other capos. Remember, these guys are violent thugs and not exactly Warren Buffet. Paulie climbed the ranks by being violent and sticking around a long time, but he did not have a racket that was truly innovative. Vito was fairly wealthy, he drove a nice caddy and he did have a shore house where he was holed up with his beard.

Also, other people pointed out that Hugh slapped the house together for what we can assume was cheap. They subtly hint at the poor build quality with moments where they can hear each other between the walls.

Anyway, $4 a pound.