How much does it cost to rent in Millbrae, CA?

As of August 2026, the median monthly rent in Millbrae, CA is $3,767. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Millbrae cheaper than other California cities?

Millbrae is one of the pricier cities in California, ranking #59 out of 381 cities tracked at $3,767/mo.

When was Millbrae rent data last updated?

Millbrae rent data reflects August 2026 and was last refreshed on August 17, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

What is the Fair Market Rent in Millbrae, CA?

HUD sets the Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom home in Millbrae, CA at $4,070 per month, which is 8% above the $3,767 market median. Fair Market Rent is the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) payment standard. It is a 40th-percentile gross rent that includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash, and HUD updates it once a year, so it measures something different from current market asking rent.

City Report · CA

Millbrae

Name: Average Rent Prices in Millbrae, CA
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Pop. 22,689·59th most expensive in California·Millbrae rents are up 10.2% over the past year

Median rent (all units)

$3,767/mo

Year-over-Year

+10.2%

Month-over-Month

+8.2%

vs US Median

+$1,805

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Millbrae · $3,767

More expensive than 97% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo

Rent Reality Score

43/100

Fairly priced

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 3% above what Millbrae's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.

Actual rent

$3,767/mo

Expected by trend

$3,645/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Millbrae's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$2,790

1 BR

$3,410

2 BR

$4,070

3 BR

$5,080

4 BR+

$5,400

Fair Market Rent (HUD)

$4,070/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $3,767 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost

$45,204/yr

At $3,767/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 10.2% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+10.2% YoY, +8.2% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Millbrae, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 52.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

22,689

Median income

$163,476

Median age

43.7

Renters

39.2%

Age distribution

19%

18.5%

27.3%

14.9%

20.3%

Under 1819%

18–3418.5%

35–5427.3%

55–6414.9%

65+20.3%

Gender

48.4%

51.6%

Male48.4%

Female51.6%

Race & ethnicity

30.7%

13.9%

48.2%

White30.7%

Black0.9%

Hispanic13.9%

Asian48.2%

Other6.4%

Education (25+)

16.3%

24.7%

52.7%

No HS diploma6.4%

HS diploma16.3%

Some college24.7%

Bachelor's+52.7%

Housing tenure

60.8%

39.2%

Owner60.8%

Renter39.2%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Millbrae, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$3,078 → $3,767

up 22.4%

Income

$141,399 → $163,476

up 15.6%

Population

23,083 → 22,689

down 1.7%

Renter share

37% → 39.2%

+2.2 pts

Bachelor's+

51.2% → 52.7%

+1.5 pts

Median age

44.9 → 43.7

-1.2 yrs

Five years ago, renters in Millbrae, CA paid around $3,078 a month. That figure now sits near $3,767, up 22.4% from the 2021 baseline. On the earnings side, the typical household in Millbrae, CA now reports about $163,476, up from $141,399 in 2021. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Census counts show Millbrae, CA losing about 394 residents over the five-year window, down 1.7% on net. The renter share has risen from 37% to 39.2%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. For context, the 2021 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and Millbrae, CA reflects that arc in its own way.

Community

Discussions about Millbrae

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View Millbrae rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Millbrae on your salary?

At $3,767/mo, how Millbrae rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $111,486/yr · Rent = 40.5% income

rent-burdened

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $79,154/yr · Rent = 57.1% income

severely rent-burdened

Police Officer

Avg $91,179/yr · Rent = 49.6% income

rent-burdened

Software Developer

Avg $162,970/yr · Rent = 27.7% income

affordable

Lawyer

Avg $208,235/yr · Rent = 21.7% income

affordable

Firefighter

Avg $74,116/yr · Rent = 61% income

severely rent-burdened

Truck Driver

Avg $66,918/yr · Rent = 67.6% income

severely rent-burdened

Electrician

Avg $82,482/yr · Rent = 54.8% income

severely rent-burdened

By apartment size

Millbrae rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Millbrae. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Millbrae

About renting in Millbrae, CA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Millbrae is $3,767/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,790/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $4,070/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $3,410/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $5,080/mo.

At 28% of local median household income ($163,476/yr), Millbrae ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 10.2% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Millbrae an affordable city for renters?

Millbrae is considered affordable for renters. At $3,767/mo, rent takes approximately 28% of the local median household income ($163,476/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Millbrae falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Millbrae?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $151,000/year (~$73/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,767/mo in Millbrae. The local median household income is $163,476/yr, meaning the typical Millbrae household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Millbrae?

Rent in Millbrae has increased 10.2% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Millbrae rent compare to other cities in California?

Millbrae is one of the pricier cities in California for rent, ranking #59 out of 381 tracked cities at $3,767/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Millbrae?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Millbrae ($3,767/mo): San Bruno ($3,338/mo), Pacifica ($3,582/mo).

What percentage of Millbrae residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 39.2% of Millbrae households are renters, while 60.8% are owner-occupied. Millbrae leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Millbrae rent compare to the national average?

Millbrae's median rent of $3,767/mo is $1,805 (92%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within California, it ranks #59 out of 381 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

28%

AFFORDABLE

At $3,767/mo, rent takes ~28% of Millbrae's median household income ($163,476/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Millbrae 28%Benchmark 30%

State income tax1–13.3%

Run the Millbrae affordability calculator →

Nearby cities