Are you looking for a peaceful city in the Bay Area with good schools and easy access to amenities? Then you should think about moving to Millbrae. Millbrae is a city in the San Francisco metro area that’s known for its laid-back ambiance and close proximity to the airport.
Millbrae offers a blend of suburban tranquility and urban convenience. Located on the San Francisco Peninsula, Millbrae boasts a vibrant downtown, excellent schools, and numerous outdoor recreational options. The cost of living is higher than the national average, but the area provides ample amenities and diverse neighborhoods.
The founding of Millbrae dates back to the late 19th Century when a gold rush pioneer named Darius Ogden Mills purchased 1500 acres of land from Jose De la Cruz Sanchez, a statesman who had inherited the property through a Mexican land grant. Mills called his new estate Millbrae, combining his last name with “brae” the Scottish word for rolling hills. The city was formally incorporated in 1948.
Today, Millbrae is a good place to live for growing families and young professionals who want a safe area near San Francisco. To help you decide if this is the right place for you, here is everything you need to know about living in Millbrae CA.
Where Is Millbrae?
Millbrae is in San Mateo County within the San Francisco Bay Area. It’s positioned between US Route 101 and I-280 in northern San Mateo County. California State Route 42 also passes through Millbrae. It’s bordered by the San Francisco International Airport and the San Francisco Bay to the northeast, and San Andreas Lake to the Southwest. The city of San Bruno is to the northwest, while the city of Burlingame is to the southeast.
It’s about 15 miles or a 22 minute drive from Millbrae to San Francisco.
Millbrae Population & Demographics
The Millbrae population is 23,216 as of the 2020 census. The number of residents living in Millbrae, CA has increased consistently over the past few years and went up by about 7.8% between 2010 and 2020. It has a fairly dense urban atmosphere with a population density of 6,982.9 residents per square mile.
Millbrae is a diverse city with an older, affluent demographic. The median age is 45.7, about 25% higher than the rest of California, and the median household income is $146,649, 60% higher than the rest of California. Many notable residents have lived in Millbrae, including California State Assembly member Diane Pappan and former MLB player Keith Hernandez.
The racial and ethnic breakdown is 36.2% white (33.5% white, non-Hispanic), 47.7% Asian, 10.4% Hispanic, 1.6% Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, 0.5% Black or African American and 9.1% two or more races.
Other Millbrae demographics
- The Millbrae population is 51% female and 49% male
- 94.7% of residents have a high school diploma, and 49.7% have a bachelor’s degree or higher
- The foreign-born population is 39.7%
Living in Millbrae, CA is safe. The Millbrae crime rate is 1,194 incidents per 100,000 people, which is 49% lower than the national average and 58% lower than the rest of California. The Millbrae CA violent crime rate is 43% lower than the rest of America, and the property crime rate is 50% lower.
The Millbrae Police Dept. of the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office is responsible for handling crime in Millbrae with the assistance of four sworn officers and one Police Captain.
Cost of Living in Millbrae
Being located in the Bay Area means that the cost of living in Millbrae, CA is higher than in the rest of the country. A good way to assess an area’s affordability is to look at the cost of living index. It compares the typical cost of consumer goods to the US, which is represented by 100.
The COLI for the San Francisco metro area is 170.7, indicating it’s about 70% more expensive than the rest of the country. The Family Budget Calculator developed by the Economic Policy Institute also reveals that the average family with two children and two parents needs to earn about $193,184 per year to afford to live in San Mateo County.
Typical Millbrae living expenses:
- A gallon of milk: $3.19
- Carton of eggs: $2.95
- Loaf of bread: $5.09
- Hamburger: $6.73
- A gallon of gasoline: $4.70
- Average Millbrae monthly energy bill: $234.11
Source: Payscale
Buying a home in the Bay Area is expensive compared to the rest of the country. The high value of Millbrae real estate is a large part of what makes the cost of living so high. The median sales price of Millbrae homes for sale is $1.825 million. The median price per square foot of Millbrae CA real estate is $985.
Tenants who plan on moving to Millbrae will also have plenty of options. In Millbrae, 61% of homes are owner-occupied, while 39% are rented out. Rentcafe reveals that the average rent is $3,719 per month.
The average age of a rental building is 44 years old; most are garden-style apartment complexes with about three stories. So you won’t find many high-rise apartment buildings with 50+ units, although about 24% are single family homes.
Millbrae Neighborhoods | Where to Live in Millbrae
Millbrae is home to many distinct neighborhoods, each offering a unique character and lifestyle. While most places you look will offer low crime and friendly neighbors, certain places offer more value than others. So, if you’re thinking about moving to Millbrae, here are the best places to live.
Lomita Hills | The Perfect Millbrae Neighborhood for Growing Families
Located in the northern reaches of Millbrae, Lomita Hills is a quiet area full of top-rated schools, parks, and playgrounds. It also features affordable homes on large lots.
Millbrae Meadows | An Upscale Millbrae Neighborhood in a Convenient Location
Millbrae Meadows is an exclusive residential neighborhood featuring about 700 Mid-Century modern homes. It offers convenient access to downtown Millbrae, Burlingame, and the San Francisco Airport.
Mills Estates | A High-End Millbrae Neighborhood with Views of the Bay
Mills Estates is a luxury neighborhood on the border between Millbrae and Burlingame. It features about 200 spacious four—and five-bedroom homes with large lots and breathtaking views of the San Francisco Bay.
Millbrae Weather & Climate
The weather in Millbrae, CA, is generally mild throughout the year. It has a mild Mediterranean climate, according to the Koppen Classification System, and experiences long, arid summers and short, cold winters.
The temperature typically fluctuates from about 45°F to 71°F, although it can also get down to 38°F and up to 82°F. The best time to consider moving to Millbrae is generally from June to October.
Snow won’t be much of an issue. However, you may want to pack an umbrella because Millbrae averages about 25 inches of rain per year.
Things to Do in Millbrae
Although Millbrae is mainly a residential community, there are a variety of fun things to do in it, from parks to museums. The Millbrae Community Center is the social epicenter of the community and hosts regular events.
You’ll find plenty of shopping at Millbrae Square, the Bayhill Shopping Center, or Gateway at the Millbrae Station. The Millbrae Farmers Market is also held on the 200 block of Broadway between La Cruz and Victoria Avenue every Saturday. If you’re searching for more fun things to do in Millbrae CA, here are some of the top attractions.
Bayfront Park
Bayfront Park is one of the best things to do in Millbrae, California, if you like to sit outdoors and watch the planes take off over the Bay with walking trails and benches overlooking the water.
2-198;1-99 Old Bayshore Hwy, Millbrae, CA 94030 (650) 259-2372
Millbrae Train Museum
Operated by the Millbrae Historical Society, the museum, housed inside the former Southern Pacific Train Depot, features exhibits on the railroad history of the Western United States.
108 California Dr, Millbrae, CA 94030 (650) 333-1136
Green Hills Country Club
The Green Hills Country Club is an amenity-rich golf and social club with a championship course, upscale clubhouse, swimming pool, two outdoor tennis courts, and a state-of-the-art fitness center.
500 Ludeman Ln, Millbrae, CA 94030
Additional Millbrae Attractions
If you’re looking for additional attractions, the Millbrae Recreation Department also has a list of public events on its website.
Millbrae Restaurants
There are many delicious Millbrae CA restaurants, offering everything from Japanese to healthy cuisine. Here is a selection of the best places to eat.
Fiddlers Green
If you’re hungry for traditional Irish fare in a welcoming environment, Fiddler’s Green is one of the best restaurants in Millbrae. It serves classic dishes like bangers and mash and shepherd’s pie, plus Guinness on tap.
333 El Camino Real, Millbrae, CA 94030 (650) 697-3419
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Hana Izumi Japanese Kaiseki Food
Hana Izumi is an authentic, family-owned Japanese restaurant serving an assortment of bowls and sashimi dishes made with fresh ingredients.
293 El Camino Real, Millbrae, CA 94030 (650) 302-3012
MQ Healthy Food
For the health-conscious, MQ Healthy Food is one of the best restaurants in Millbrae, CA, offering fresh salads, soups, and smoothies designed to fuel an active lifestyle.
420 El Camino Real, Millbrae, CA 94030 (650) 781-8888
Jobs in Millbrae
Moving to Millbrae offers a wide variety of employment opportunities. The local economy is greatly influenced by its proximity to the San Francisco Airport, and there are several hotels along El Camino Real. Downtown Millbrae is also full of restaurants, shops, and local businesses. The city is perfectly located between San Francisco and San Jose, offering an easy commute to Silicon Valley and some of the top companies in the technology sector.
Top employers offering jobs in Millbrae, CA include:
- Millbrae School District
- City and County of San Francisco
- Westin Hotels
- Magnolia of Millbrae
- Mills High School
According to data from Payscale, the average salary paid by a company in San Francisco is $114,000 per year. You can find high-paying Millbrae jobs in exciting roles, such as preschool teachers and paralegals. You can even find great city of Millbrae jobs in a range of different roles ranging from technology to financial services.
Millbrae Schools
Living in Millbrae, CA means students will have access to some of the top schools in the San Francisco area. The Millbrae School District contains four elementary schools, including Meadow Green Hills, Lomita Park, and Spring Valley. Green Hills is generally seen as the best and ranks #612 of all California elementary schools. Taylor Middle School is also in the MSD.
Mills High School in the San Mateo Union High School District is the sole Millbrae high school. It has a stellar reputation with a 98% graduation rate and 58% AP Participation rate. Mills not only ranks #62 out of all California high schools, it also ranks within the top 500 high schools in the US.
Saint Dunstan’s, a private K-6 Catholic School associated with the church of the same name, is also in Millbrae. Residents should also check out the Millbrae Public Library in the San Mateo County Public Library System for books and community events.
Millbrae Statistics & Information
- County: San Mateo County
- Millbrae area: 3.29 square miles
- Millbrae zip code: 94030
- Millbrae, CA, area code(s): 650
- Millbrae elevation: 33 ft
- Millbrae time zone: Pacific Time Zone (UTC-7 and -8)
- Closest airport to Millbrae: The San Francisco (SFO) Airport is 3 miles away.
Millbrae, CA Map
Discover more Millbrae restaurants, attractions, and fun things to do with this map.
Planning a relocation to this pleasant city? Our Millbrae, CA movers will make your next move easy and efficient. Call (650) 284-2931 for a free moving quote.
