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Buying a home in Millbrae, California

The typical owner-occupied home in Millbrae is worth about $1,934,900, 2.6 times the California median of $734,700 and 5.8 times the national median of $332,700. Owners pay a median $9,996 a year in property taxes, about 0.52% of their home's value, lower than the California rate of 0.70%. The median household earns $163,476 a year, so the median home costs 11.8 times the median income (7.4 times for California). 61% of occupied homes here are lived in by their owners, and 61% of those owners still have a mortgage.

Millbrae at a glance

Millbrae California U.S.
Median home value $1,934,900 $734,700 $332,700
Median property tax paid per year $9,996 $5,124 $3,119
Property tax as a share of value 0.52% 0.70% 0.94%
Median household income $163,476 $99,122 $80,734
Homes lived in by their owners 61% 56% 65%
Owner homes with a mortgage 61% 67% 61%
Median monthly costs, owners with a mortgage $4,001 $2,946 $1,963
Those costs as a share of the owners' income 24.5% 24.8% 21.0%
Median rent $3,272 $2,036 $1,413
Rent as a share of renters' income 29.8% 32.8% 30.6%
Median year homes were built 1962 1976 1980
Vacant homes 6.7% 7.5% 10.1%
Population 22,689 39,287,377 334,922,499

What a typical home costs per month in Millbrae

At this week's average 30-year rate of 7.11%, buying the median Millbrae home of $1,934,900 with 20% down costs about $12,058 a month, including property taxes and insurance. With an FHA loan and 3.5% down, it's about $15,592, because the loan is bigger and FHA adds mortgage insurance.

Lenders usually want housing costs under about 28% of gross income, which means an income of roughly $516,756 for the 20%-down payment. That payment is 89% of the median Millbrae household income of $163,476; at that income and 20% down, the 28% guideline points to a home of about $612,000.

The median rent here is $3,272 a month, so owning the median home costs about $8,786 a month more than renting, before you count the equity you build and any tax benefits.

20% down, 30-year conventional loan
Down payment$386,980
Loan amount$1,547,920
Principal and interest$10,413
Property taxes (0.52% a year)$838
Homeowners insurance (our estimate, 0.5% a year)$806
PMI$0
Total per month$12,058

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3.5% down, 30-year FHA loan
Down payment$67,722
Loan amount$1,899,854
Principal and interest$12,780
Property taxes (0.52% a year)$838
Homeowners insurance (our estimate, 0.5% a year)$806
FHA mortgage insurance$1,167
Total per month$15,592

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Questions about home buying in Millbrae

What is the median home value in Millbrae?

About $1,934,900 for owner-occupied homes, according to the Census Bureau's 2020–2024 American Community Survey.

How much are property taxes in Millbrae?

Homeowners pay a median $9,996 a year, which is about 0.52% of the median home value. Your bill depends on your home's assessed value and local rates.

What income do you need to buy a home in Millbrae?

For the median home with 20% down at 7.11%, the payment is about $12,058 a month. Keeping that under 28% of gross income takes about $516,756 a year.

More about Millbrae

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates; Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey, week of November 12, 2026. Estimates for small places have wide margins of error. About our data