| Index | Millbrae | California | National |
| Cost of living | 287 | 141 | 100 |
| Groceries | 111 | 111 | 100 |
| Health care | 112 | 116 | 100 |
| Housing | 689 | 197 | 100 |
| Transportation | 116 | 118 | 100 |
| Utilities | 116 | 119 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 115 | 120 | 100 |
| Household Items | 109 | 111 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 123 | 127 | 100 |
Knowing the cost of living in Millbrae allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Millbrae stands at 287, marking it 187% higher than the national average.
If you're in pursuit of an economical living environment, Millbrae may not fit the bill, as it ranks among the most expensive places to reside in the United States. Just a minority of regions exhibit a cost of living that is more than 20% higher than the national average, and, unfortunately, Millbrae falls within this bracket.
Housing costs are a major factor in the Millbrae cost of living index, and they often eat up a big chunk of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, housing expenses for both homeownership and rentals were 588.9% higher than what's typical in an average city. That includes the prices of homes and rents, as well as mortgage rates and insurance.
The cost of groceries continues to rise at an alarming rate. Over the last two years, grocery prices have increased by more than 10%! Unfortunately, in Millbrae, the news isn't any better as grocery prices are 11.1% higher than the national average.
Is Millbrae affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Millbrae, the median home price is 755.5% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 200.1% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Millbrae boasting a median household income of $189,141, 132.6% higher than the national average.
Taxes: Locations with elevated tax rates, encompassing both sales and income taxes, can be a factor in driving up the cost of living. When you're paying more in taxes for everyday household expenses, it naturally translates into higher expenses. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can also contribute to an overall higher cost of living. In Millbrae, the standard sales tax rate starts at 7.25%, and the income tax rates commence at 1%.
Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can undergo substantial fluctuations based on the city or state of residence. Elements such as the availability of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket costs for medical consultations, dental expenses, prescription medication charges and specialized medical care fees all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Millbrae, healthcare costs are 11.8% higher than the national average.
Housing: When there's a high demand for housing in trendy places, it can cause property prices and rental rates to soar, leading to a significantly higher cost of living. Conversely, in less desirable locations, where demand is low, prices tend to decrease, resulting in a more budget-friendly cost of living. In Millbrae, the housing index is 588.9% higher than the national average.
The Millbrae cost of living data displayed above uses a U.S. average baseline of 100 to provide a practical way to compare living expenses across cities. Housing estimates incorporate U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are generated using AI-assisted models based on everyday expense expectations, regional pricing trends, climate, transportation patterns, and local economic conditions. These values are designed for directional city-to-city comparisons.
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| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $206,779 | $17,232 | $4,825 | $6,204 |
| Renters | $158,595 | $13,216 | $3,700 | $4,758 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| California | 7.25% | 10.5% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| California | 1% | 13.3% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| San Lorenzo, CA | 31,094 | 169 | 69.4% |
| San Leandro, CA | 93,731 | 173 | 73.2% |
| Oakland, CA | 431,366 | 188 | 88.4% |
| Colma, CA | 1,528 | 202 | 102.4% |
| Daly City, CA | 111,327 | 204 | 104.4% |
| Millbrae, CA | 23,726 | 287 | 186.6% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Taylors, SC | 23,727 | 98 | 2.0% |
| Laguna Beach, CA | 23,724 | 326 | 226.2% |
| Simpsonville, SC | 23,729 | 102 | 2.3% |
| Oro-Medonte, ON | 23,738 | n/a | |
| Kingston, NY | 23,708 | 108 | 8.1% |
| Millbrae, CA | 23,726 | 287 | 186.6% |
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