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San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

Cost of living in Marin County, CA

Part of the San Francisco Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$5,446/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 258,765 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $2,780 51%
Federal tax $1,011 19%
Healthcare $480 9%
Groceries $397 7%
State tax $251 5%
Transport $250 5%
Energy $217 4%
Water $60 1%

Rent in Marin County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$2,275
per month
1 bedroom
$2,780
per month
2 bedroom
$3,318
per month
3 bedroom
$4,138
per month
4 bedroom
$4,399
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Marin County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$142,785
per year
Individual earnings
$68,423
per year
Per capita
$90,408
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Marin County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$1,390,000
Annual property tax
$10,001

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Marin County

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$167
per month · 30.4¢/kWh
Natural gas
$50
per month
Annual total
$2,604
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Marin County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
3.8%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Marin County

State and local tax rates for California.

State income tax
13.3%
Top marginal rate
State sales tax
7.3%
Combined sales tax
8.8%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Marin County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
28.3 min
Drive alone
53.7%
Public transit
4.9%
Work from home
27.9%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Marin County

What it costs to live in Marin County each month.

Single person
$5,446
per month
  • Rent $2,780
  • Energy $217
  • Water $60
  • Groceries $397
  • Transport $250
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $1,011
  • State tax $251
Couple
$8,516
per month
  • Rent $3,318
  • Energy $260
  • Water $70
  • Groceries $658
  • Transport $350
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $2,168
  • State tax $828
Family
$11,543
per month
  • Rent $4,138
  • Energy $326
  • Water $85
  • Groceries $998
  • Transport $450
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $2,168
  • State tax $828

Frequently asked questions about Marin County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Marin County?

In Marin County, CA, a one-bedroom apartment averages $2,780 per month, a two-bedroom averages $3,318 per month, a three-bedroom averages $4,138 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Marin County?

In Marin County, CA, the average household income is $142,785 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $68,423 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Marin County?

The estimated cost of living in Marin County, CA is approximately $5,446 per month for a single person, $8,516 for a couple, $11,543 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Marin County?

The combined sales tax rate in Marin County, CA is 8.85%, which includes the California state rate of 7.25% plus an average local rate of 1.60%.

Is Marin County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Marin County, CA would need approximately $5,446 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $142,785 per year ($11,899 per month). Marin County is relatively affordable compared to the national average.

How much does healthcare cost in Marin County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Marin County, CA is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 3.8% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Marin County?

The average home value in Marin County, CA is $1,390,000, with average annual property taxes of $10,001, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Marin County compare to other areas?

You can compare Marin County, CA with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Marin County is in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area.

Other counties in California

Browse the full list of counties in California, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in California

Compare Marin County with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources