1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Millbrae, CA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Millbrae, California as of July 2026. That's +2% lower than the citywide median of $3,481 and +144% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Millbrae
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Millbrae
Compare Millbrae's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in California
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taft | $880 |
| 2 | Ridgecrest | $887 |
| 3 | Lakeport | $900 |
| 4 | California City | $950 |
| 5 | Clearlake | $950 |
| 6 | Barstow | $974 |
| 7 | Oroville | $1,005 |
| 8 | El Centro | $1,020 |
| 9 | Paradise | $1,020 |
| 10 | Red Bluff | $1,030 |
| 11 | Eureka | $1,040 |
| 12 | Porterville | $1,060 |
| 13 | Shafter | $1,060 |
| 14 | Tehachapi | $1,110 |
| 15 | Hanford | $1,120 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in California
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cupertino | $3,880 |
| 2 | Foster City | $3,820 |
| 3 | Santa Cruz | $3,710 |
| 4 | Scotts Valley | $3,600 |
| 5 | Aptos | $3,600 |
| 6 | Tiburon | $3,530 |
| 7 | Los Altos | $3,530 |
| 8 | Coronado | $3,460 |
| 9 | Sunnyvale | $3,438 |
| 10 | Millbrae (this page) | $3,410 |
| 11 | Corte Madera | $3,390 |
| 12 | Santa Barbara | $3,382 |
| 13 | Palo Alto | $3,305 |
| 14 | Mountain View | $3,303 |
| 15 | Ladera Ranch | $3,280 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Millbrae.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Millbrae |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Bruno, CA | 2.8 mi | $2,670 | $-740 (-22%) |
| Burlingame, CA | 4 mi | $2,445 | $-965 (-28%) |
| South San Francisco, CA | 4.1 mi | $2,610 | $-800 (-23%) |
| Pacifica, CA | 5.2 mi | $2,770 | $-640 (-19%) |
| San Mateo, CA | 6.6 mi | $3,100 | $-310 (-9%) |
| Daly City, CA | 7.4 mi | $2,670 | $-740 (-22%) |
| Half Moon Bay, CA | 9 mi | $2,540 | $-870 (-26%) |
| Belmont, CA | 9.2 mi | $3,090 | $-320 (-9%) |
| Foster City, CA | 9.7 mi | $3,820 | +$410 (+12%) |
| San Carlos, CA | 11.4 mi | $2,970 | $-440 (-13%) |
| San Francisco, CA | 12.2 mi | $2,842 | $-568 (-17%) |
| Redwood City, CA | 14 mi | $3,133 | $-277 (-8%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Millbrae — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Millbrae?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Millbrae, California is $3,410 per month. This is +2% below the citywide median of $3,481.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Millbrae?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $136,400 ($11,367/month gross), which works out to roughly $65.58/hour at a full-time job.
Is Millbrae expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Millbrae's 1-bedroom median of $3,410 is +144% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 100th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Millbrae rank for 1-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 385 cities in California with 1-bedroom data, Millbrae ranks #376 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Millbrae?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include San Bruno ($2,670), Burlingame ($2,445), South San Francisco ($2,610).