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 6.5 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. It is a highly educated city: 58.2% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $136,640 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 568 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Milpitas?
Share of households by yearly income. 65.1% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Milpitas
| Size | Milpitas | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,750 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,876 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $3,474 | $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 Milpitas overall?
Everyday prices in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara metro area are 10% above the U.S. average (index 110.4, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Milpitas
Life in Milpitas
What jobs pay in Milpitas
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | $301,320 | 13.6% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $231,560 | 17.7% |
| Physician Assistant | $223,640 | 18.3% |
| Registered Nurse | $216,740 | 18.9% |
| Software Developer | $213,110 | 19.2% |
| Pharmacist | $199,040 | 20.6% |
| Operations Manager | $163,860 | 25.0% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $157,140 | 26.1% |
| Firefighter | $152,100 | 27.0% |
| Market Research Analyst | $141,960 | 28.9% |
| Dental Hygienist | $139,990 | 29.3% |
| Police Officer | $136,140 | 30.1% |
| Civil Engineer | $130,280 | 31.5% |
| Accountant | $121,700 | 33.7% |
| Plumber | $107,560 | 38.1% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $102,860 | 39.9% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $95,320 | 43.0% |
| Electrician | $91,030 | 45.0% |
| HVAC Technician | $82,050 | 50.0% |
| Carpenter | $80,190 | 51.1% |
| Truck Driver | $70,730 | 58.0% |
| Medical Assistant | $61,940 | 66.2% |
| Customer Service Representative | $60,480 | 67.8% |
| Nursing Assistant | $56,840 | 72.1% |
| Restaurant Cook | $47,170 | 86.9% |
| Warehouse Worker | $47,060 | 87.1% |
| Retail Salesperson | $44,220 | 92.7% |
| Cashier | $42,960 | 95.4% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $41,920 | 97.8% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Milpitas?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $5,269 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $1,251,700 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $125,170 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Milpitas, CA?
Renting in Milpitas costs a median of about $3,416 a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in Milpitas?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $136,640 a year, or $66 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Milpitas cheap or expensive?
Milpitas is rated OK: rent takes 21.3% of the typical household income of $192,834. It ranks 568th cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Milpitas?
The median homeowner in Milpitas pays $8,582 a year in property taxes, about 0.69% of the median home value.
Is Milpitas more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 10% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Milpitas?
The median home value in Milpitas is $1,251,700, about 6.5 times the typical yearly household income.
78,578 people live in Milpitas. Numbers are typical (middle) values.