salaryRent here is among the highest 10% in the country. Household incomes are higher than in 98% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 9.0 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. It is a highly educated city: 75.8% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $141,360 a year. That is $68 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 639 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Mill Valley?
Share of households by yearly income. 67.6% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Mill Valley
| Size | Mill Valley | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,213 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,626 | $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 Mill Valley 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 Mill Valley, so the California figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Mill Valley
Life in Mill Valley
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Mill Valley?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $10,343 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 Mill Valley, CA?
Renting in Mill Valley costs a median of about $3,534 a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in Mill Valley?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $141,360 a year, or $68 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Mill Valley cheap or expensive?
Mill Valley is rated Cheap: rent takes 19.1% of the typical household income of $222,400. It ranks 639th cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Mill Valley?
The median homeowner in Mill Valley pays $10,000+ a year in property taxes, about 0.50% of the median home value.
Is Mill Valley 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 Mill Valley?
The median home value in Mill Valley is $2,000,000+, about 9.0 times the typical yearly household income.
14,012 people live in Mill Valley. Numbers are typical (middle) values.