salaryRent here is among the highest 10% in the country. Household incomes are higher than in 100% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 7.0 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Commutes are long, about 30.9 minutes each way. It is a highly educated city: 79.3% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $140,040 a year. That is $67 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 619 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Corte Madera?
Share of households by yearly income. 72.5% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Corte Madera
| Size | Corte Madera | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $3,141 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $3,500+ | $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 Corte Madera 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 Corte Madera, so the California figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Corte Madera
Life in Corte Madera
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Corte Madera?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $8,678 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $1,755,200 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $175,520 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Corte Madera, CA?
Renting in Corte Madera costs a median of about $3,500+ a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in Corte Madera?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $140,040 a year, or $67 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Corte Madera cheap or expensive?
Corte Madera is rated Cheap: rent takes 16.7% of the typical household income of $251,035. It ranks 619th cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Corte Madera?
The median homeowner in Corte Madera pays $10,000+ a year in property taxes, about 0.57% of the median home value.
Is Corte Madera 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 Corte Madera?
The median home value in Corte Madera is $1,755,200, about 7.0 times the typical yearly household income.
10,077 people live in Corte Madera. Numbers are typical (middle) values.