salaryRent here is among the highest 10% in the country. Household incomes are higher than in 96% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 10.7 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Commutes are long, about 30.7 minutes each way. It is a highly educated city: 64.2% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $137,360 a year. That is $66 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other California cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of California. It is number 572 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Burlingame?
Share of households by yearly income. 61.5% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Burlingame
| Size | Burlingame | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,554 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,592 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $3,544 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,500+ | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,500+ | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Burlingame overall?
Everyday prices in California overall are 11% above the U.S. average (index 110.7, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Burlingame, so the California figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Burlingame
Life in Burlingame
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Burlingame?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $10,443 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $2,000,000+ home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $200,000 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Burlingame, CA?
Renting in Burlingame costs a median of about $3,434 a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in Burlingame?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $137,360 a year, or $66 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Burlingame cheap or expensive?
Burlingame is rated OK: rent takes 22.0% of the typical household income of $187,659. It ranks 572nd cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Burlingame?
The median homeowner in Burlingame pays $10,000+ a year in property taxes, about 0.50% of the median home value.
Is Burlingame more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in California are 11% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Burlingame?
The median home value in Burlingame is $2,000,000+, about 10.7 times the typical yearly household income.
30,525 people live in Burlingame. Numbers are typical (middle) values.