What to know before you move: cost, market timing, who it fits.
If you're considering a move to Millbrae, CA, the most important variables are the local housing market, the cost structure (taxes, insurance, utilities), and how well the city fits your day-to-day life. This page summarizes the housing market read; pair it with the cost of living page for the full picture.
Millbrae is a city in San Mateo County, California, with an estimated population of 23,321. It anchors the San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley metro area. The median home value in Millbrae is $2,066,580 as of 2026-04, up 4.9% over the last 12 months. Over the last five years, home values have averaged +3.8% annual growth, with prices at or near the 5-year peak. Rents in Millbrae average $3,782 per month, up 4.7% year-over-year. The composite momentum score is 68 of 100 (Rising). The market is healthy with prices supported by underlying demand.
Quiet strength: prices near or at all-time highs (+0.0% from 5-year peak). Solid market for owner-occupiers; investors should underwrite conservatively given the elevated entry point.
Reasons people move here
- Quiet strength: +4.9% over the trailing year — not a melt-up, but the market is bid.
- Held the highs: currently +0.0% from the 5-year peak — this market refused to give back gains.
Things to know first
- Premium territory: $2,066,580 median home is a high bar to clear — affordability constrains the buyer pool.
- Local nuance: city-level data smooths over neighborhood differences. School zones, HOA rules, and street-level character matter — visit before deciding.
More about Millbrae
Sources: Zillow ZHVI (home values), Zillow ZORI (rents), US Census ACS + place population. Updated when source agencies publish revisions.