salaryRent here is among the highest 10% in the country. Household incomes are higher than in 97% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 9.4 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Most households rent (61%), so there are plenty of rental options. It is a highly educated city: 75% 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 579 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Mountain View?
Share of households by yearly income. 65.5% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Mountain View
| Size | Mountain View | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,464 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,826 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $3,541 | $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 Mountain View 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 Mountain View
Life in Mountain View
What jobs pay in Mountain View
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | $301,320 | 13.9% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $231,560 | 18.1% |
| Physician Assistant | $223,640 | 18.8% |
| Registered Nurse | $216,740 | 19.4% |
| Software Developer | $213,110 | 19.7% |
| Pharmacist | $199,040 | 21.1% |
| Operations Manager | $163,860 | 25.6% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $157,140 | 26.7% |
| Firefighter | $152,100 | 27.6% |
| Market Research Analyst | $141,960 | 29.6% |
| Dental Hygienist | $139,990 | 30.0% |
| Police Officer | $136,140 | 30.9% |
| Civil Engineer | $130,280 | 32.2% |
| Accountant | $121,700 | 34.5% |
| Plumber | $107,560 | 39.1% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $102,860 | 40.8% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $95,320 | 44.1% |
| Electrician | $91,030 | 46.2% |
| HVAC Technician | $82,050 | 51.2% |
| Carpenter | $80,190 | 52.4% |
| Truck Driver | $70,730 | 59.4% |
| Medical Assistant | $61,940 | 67.8% |
| Customer Service Representative | $60,480 | 69.5% |
| Nursing Assistant | $56,840 | 73.9% |
| Restaurant Cook | $47,170 | 89.1% |
| Warehouse Worker | $47,060 | 89.3% |
| Retail Salesperson | $44,220 | 95.0% |
| Cashier | $42,960 | 97.8% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $41,920 | 100.2% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Mountain View?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $9,870 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $1,927,000 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $192,700 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Mountain View, CA?
Renting in Mountain View 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 Mountain View?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $140,040 a year, or $67 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Mountain View cheap or expensive?
Mountain View is rated OK: rent takes 20.5% of the typical household income of $204,825. It ranks 579th cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Mountain View?
The median homeowner in Mountain View pays $10,000+ a year in property taxes, about 0.52% of the median home value.
Is Mountain View 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 Mountain View?
The median home value in Mountain View is $1,927,000, about 9.4 times the typical yearly household income.
83,732 people live in Mountain View. Numbers are typical (middle) values.