salaryRent here is among the highest 10% in the country. Household incomes are higher than in 90% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 13.2 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. It is a highly educated city: 67.9% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $145,280 a year. That is $70 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 650 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Larkspur?
Share of households by yearly income. 52.9% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Larkspur
| Size | Larkspur | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,359 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,600 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $3,164 | $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 Larkspur 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 Larkspur, so the California figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Larkspur
Life in Larkspur
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Larkspur?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $10,222 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $1,996,600 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $199,660 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Larkspur, CA?
Renting in Larkspur costs a median of about $3,632 a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in Larkspur?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $145,280 a year, or $70 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Larkspur cheap or expensive?
Larkspur is rated OK: rent takes 28.8% of the typical household income of $151,440. It ranks 650th cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Larkspur?
The median homeowner in Larkspur pays $10,000+ a year in property taxes, about 0.50% of the median home value.
Is Larkspur 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 Larkspur?
The median home value in Larkspur is $1,996,600, about 13.2 times the typical yearly household income.
12,854 people live in Larkspur. Numbers are typical (middle) values.