How expensive is Sausalito?
Housing is what makes Sausalito expensive. Redfin's median sale price in the city was $1,574,250 for the three months to September 2026, about twice the statewide median of $752,837 Redfin reported for September. In Census data for 2020-2024, the city's median gross rent is in the survey's top category, above $3,500, while Marin County's is $2,668. Everyday costs such as food, transport and health care follow Marin County averages, which MIT's Living Wage Calculator puts well above most of the state.
The Census estimates Sausalito's median household income at $182,357 for 2020-2024, against $149,091 for Marin County. Income figures cover current residents, many of whom bought years ago, so they say little about what a newcomer needs to earn. The sections below build that number from today's prices.
Housing costs in Sausalito
Buying a home in Sausalito: the monthly payment
Redfin's median sale price in Sausalito was $1,574,250 for the three months to September 2026. With 20% down ($314,850) at Freddie Mac's 7.24% 30-year average (week of October 29, 2026), principal and interest come to about $8,583 a month. A condo at Redfin's 94965 condo median of $1,012,470 costs about $5,520 a month on the same terms. Owners who already have a mortgage report a median monthly cost of more than $4,000 in Census data, the survey's top category, while owners without a mortgage report $1,501.
Renting in Sausalito
Zillow's observed rent for Sausalito was $3,984 a month in September 2026, up 6.9% in a year and 24.4% over five years. The Census median gross rent for the city sits in its top category, above $3,500. About 40% of occupied homes in the city are rented (1,606 of 3,976).
Property tax on a Sausalito home
Property tax starts at 1% of the purchase price under Prop 13, plus voter-approved bonds and parcel taxes for the city, schools and special districts. On the $1,574,250 Redfin median, the 1% base alone is $15,742 a year, or about $1,312 a month. Ask for the seller's last bill to see the extra charges, then apply them to your price. Our Marin County property tax guide explains the bill and the deadlines.
Home insurance, earthquake and flood cover
Premiums depend on the parcel's fire, flood and slope exposure, so get quotes before you remove contingencies. Check the FEMA flood map for bayfront parcels. Our California homeowners insurance guide and earthquake insurance guide cover the options.
HOA dues and floating home berth fees
Condo dues vary by building; ask for the budget and reserve study. Floating homes at Waldo Point Harbor are privately owned but sit on leased berths, so owners pay a monthly berth fee to the harbor. Ask the seller for the current berth agreement and fee history before you make an offer.
Everyday costs in Sausalito
MIT's Living Wage Calculator (updated February 15, 2026) estimates basic annual costs for Marin County. The figures below are for one adult with no children unless stated.
Groceries and food in Marin County
MIT puts food at $6,157 a year for one adult, about $513 a month, and $18,020 for two adults with two children. Downtown restaurants serve a large visitor trade, so eating out near Bridgeway costs more than cooking at home.
Transportation: ferry, bridge and car
MIT estimates $9,892 a year for transport for one adult. For commuters, the Golden Gate Ferry from Sausalito to San Francisco costs $8.50 one way with Clipper or a contactless bank card, or $14.00 on a paper ticket; youth and senior fares are $7.00. Driving into the city means a Golden Gate Bridge toll of $10.25 with FasTrak since July 1, 2026, or $11.25 by toll invoice. The Census reports that 45% of Sausalito workers worked from home in 2020-2024, and those who commuted averaged about 30 minutes each way.
Utilities and garbage service
Weekly garbage, recycling and green waste service from Bay Cities Refuse is required for every Sausalito home and business. Water, power and gas bills depend on the size and age of the home; the median Sausalito home was built in 1964. Ask the seller or landlord for 12 months of utility bills.
Health care costs
MIT estimates medical costs of $3,821 a year for one adult and $13,844 for two adults with two children in Marin County. Employer coverage changes the picture a great deal, so use your own plan's premium and deductible when you build a budget.
Child care in Marin County
Child care is the largest cost after housing for working parents. MIT estimates $23,526 a year for one child and $49,418 for two in Marin County.
Internet and mobile
MIT puts internet and mobile service at $1,652 a year for one adult and $2,275 for a two-adult household. Coverage varies by address, so test your phone signal inside the home during a showing and ask the seller which internet providers serve the address.
Taxes in Sausalito
The sales tax rate in Sausalito is 9.25% from October 1, 2026, according to the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration, one point above the 8.25% rate in unincorporated Marin County. California income tax applies on top of federal tax; MIT estimates annual taxes of $15,841 for a single adult earning its Marin County living wage. Selling a home brings county transfer tax and possibly capital gains tax; see our California transfer tax guide and capital gains guide.
Salary needed to live in Sausalito
MIT's living wage is the minimum to cover basic needs in Marin County, assuming a full-time job. It is based on county rents, not on Sausalito home prices.
| Household (Marin County) | Living wage per hour | Required income before taxes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 adult, no children | $36.36 | $75,627 |
| 1 adult, 1 child | $71.62 | $148,971 |
| 2 adults (1 working), no children | $48.07 | $99,985 |
| 2 adults (both working), 2 children | $50.48 each | $210,010 |
To buy, the bar is higher. Using the common guide of spending no more than 30% of gross income on housing, the $8,583 monthly payment plus $1,312 base tax on the median Sausalito home ($9,895 a month) needs about $395,800 a year before insurance and dues. Renting at Zillow's $3,984 needs about $159,360. These are our calculations from the figures above, not lender limits.
Sausalito vs nearby Marin cities
| City | Zillow typical home value (Sep 2026) | Zillow observed rent (Sep 2026) | Census median household income | Sales tax (Oct 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sausalito | $1,589,416 | $3,984 | $182,357 | 9.25% |
| Mill Valley | $2,178,610 | $4,617 | $206,212 | 9.25% |
| Tiburon | $3,117,224 | $6,832 | $232,969 | 8.25% |
| Corte Madera | $1,869,329 | $5,233 | $232,763 | 9.00% |
| Larkspur | $2,179,567 | $4,469 | $140,417 | 9.25% |
| San Rafael | $1,313,734 | $3,166 | $119,435 | 9.25% |
| Novato | $1,064,815 | $3,969 | $115,736 | 9.25% |
Home values and rents are Zillow's September 2026 figures; incomes are Census ACS 2020-2024; sales tax rates are from CDTFA. Sausalito's typical value sits below Mill Valley, Tiburon, Larkspur and Corte Madera. One factor to keep in mind: 58% of Sausalito's homes are attached or in multi-unit buildings, according to the Census, and a typical value across all homes reflects that mix. See our Mill Valley guide for the neighboring market.
Ways to lower the cost of living in Sausalito
- Consider a condo or townhouse. Redfin's 94965 condo median of $1,012,470 was about $700,000 below the single-family median in the three months to September 2026. Our Sausalito condo guide covers the checks.
- Use Clipper on the ferry. The Clipper fare of $8.50 saves $5.50 on each trip compared with a paper ticket.
- Use resident parking benefits. Eligible 94965 residents get three free hours in downtown public lots, and commuters may qualify for reduced rates.
- File for the homeowners' exemption. It trims the assessed value of an owner-occupied home; see the Marin County guide.
- Shop insurance every year. Quotes vary widely; see the insurance guide.
For buying help, read the Sausalito homes for sale guide or contact our featured Sausalito agent. For the statewide picture see cost of living in California.