salaryRent is higher than in 90% of U.S. cities. Household incomes are higher than in 94% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 11.0 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $108,960 a year. That is $52 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 441 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Millbrae?
Share of households by yearly income. 61.2% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Millbrae
| Size | Millbrae | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $3,243 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,828 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $3,347 | $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 Millbrae 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 Millbrae, so the California figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Millbrae
Life in Millbrae
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Millbrae?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $10,702 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $1,934,900 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $193,490 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Millbrae, CA?
Renting in Millbrae costs a median of about $2,724 a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in Millbrae?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $108,960 a year, or $52 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Millbrae cheap or expensive?
Millbrae is rated Cheap: rent takes 18.5% of the typical household income of $176,309. It ranks 441st cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Millbrae?
The median homeowner in Millbrae pays $9,996 a year in property taxes, about 0.52% of the median home value.
Is Millbrae 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 Millbrae?
The median home value in Millbrae is $1,934,900, about 11.0 times the typical yearly household income.
22,689 people live in Millbrae. Numbers are typical (middle) values.