{"id":109786,"date":"2026-04-21T13:09:32","date_gmt":"2026-04-21T20:09:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/?p=109786"},"modified":"2026-04-21T13:09:34","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T20:09:34","slug":"what-it-costs-to-live-in-hilary-duffs-neighborhood","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/what-it-costs-to-live-in-hilary-duffs-neighborhood\/","title":{"rendered":"What It Really Costs to Live in Hilary Duff\u2019s Neighborhood"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Hilary Duff\u2019s home situation in <\/span>Beverly Hills, CA<\/span><\/a> is what happens when classic architecture meets \u201cfamily life, but make it glamorous.\u201d She lives in a 5,260-square-foot renovated Georgian-style estate tucked inside the Summit neighborhood of Beverly Hills, a gated enclave known for privacy, hillside views, and celebrity-owned estates \u2013 and yes, it comes with the kind of details that feel equal parts charming and over-the-top, like a chicken coop, a pool with a slide, and a backyard clearly built for real living, not just show.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But once you look past the fun extras and celebrity polish, the real question is what does it really cost to live in Hilary Duff\u2019s neighborhood \u2013and for anyone trying to size it up, even a quick pass through a <\/span>home affordability calculator<\/span><\/a> starts to reveal just how exclusive this pocket of Beverly Hills really is.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Key takeaways:
<\/strong>\u2013 Median home price<\/strong>: $9M
\u2013 Estimated mortgage (20% down, ~5.5\u20137% interest)<\/strong>: $25,000\u2013$60,000+\/month
\u2013 Property taxes<\/strong>: ~$50,000\u2013$75,000+\/year
\u2013 Insurance<\/strong>: $10,000\u2013$30,000+\/year
\u2013 Down payment expectations<\/strong>:
3%: $120,000\u2013$270,000
10%: $400,000\u2013$900,000
20%: $800,000\u2013$1.8M+
30%: $1.2M\u2013$2.7M+<\/em>
\u2013 Architect\/designer fees for Georgian-style homes<\/strong>: 8\u201315% of construction costs
\u2013 Median rent in the area<\/strong>: $3,500\u2013$4,500\/month
\u2013 5-year appreciation rate<\/strong>: ~45%\u201360%
\u2013 Estimated income needed to comfortably afford<\/strong>: ~$500,000\u2013$1M+\/year

Bottom line<\/strong>: Limited inventory, gated communities, and strong demand for privacy all contribute to Beverly Hills\u2019 multimillion-dollar price points. Living in Hilary Duff\u2019s neighborhood comes with steep upfront and ongoing costs, but the combination of prestige, long-term value, and a highly sought-after lifestyle makes it one of the most exclusive places to call home in Beverly Hills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What it takes to buy a home in Beverly Hills<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Buying a home in Beverly Hills \u2013especially in the gated pockets like The Summit where Hilary Duff lives \u2013starts at a very different level than most <\/span>US housing markets<\/span><\/a>. In March, the <\/span>median home price in Beverly Hills<\/span><\/a> hit $9 million, up nearly 30% compared to last year.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beyond the purchase price, homeowners also need to account for ongoing expenses, like <\/span>property taxes<\/span><\/a>, insurance, maintenance, and staffing for larger estates, which can significantly increase the true <\/span>cost of living<\/span><\/a> in this exclusive area of Beverly Hills.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mortgage<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Once you move into Beverly Hills pricing, the mortgage conversation shifts quickly from \u201caffordable monthly payment\u201d to long-term wealth planning. Even for well-qualified buyers, the financing structure behind a $4\u2013$7+ million home can be significant.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPurchasing a $4-7 million home requires far more than the purchase price,\u201d states Jeff Runyan, founder and CEO of <\/span>Runyan Capital<\/span><\/a>, a financial advisor serving Beverly Hills. \u201cAfter a 20% or more down payment, a buyer carries a mortgage of $3.2 to $6 million, translating to $15,000 to $28,000 a month at 5.5% Interest Only (lowest possible payment), depending on loan structure and current interest rates.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>

Runyan goes on to share, \u201cAs a general guideline, high-net-worth buyers often aim for a gross annual income of around half the home\u2019s value to comfortably support not only the mortgage, but also the broader lifestyle expenses that tend to come with owning a property at this level. This is not a formal lending requirement, but rather a practical benchmark for long-term financial comfort.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Taxes<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In Beverly Hills, property taxes are a major part of the long-term cost of ownership. While California is known for having relatively moderate tax rates compared to other states, the actual dollar amount homeowners pay here is high because of steep home values.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most Beverly Hills homeowners can expect an effective property tax rate of around <\/span>1.0% to 1.2% of assessed value<\/span><\/a>, which includes the base 1% under California\u2019s Proposition 13 plus additional local assessments and voter-approved levies. On a multi-million-dollar home, that translates into tens of thousands of dollars per year in taxes alone.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To put it in perspective, <\/span>even a $5 million home can carry an annual property tax bill in the range of $50,000\u2013$60,000+<\/span><\/i>, depending on its assessed value and specific parcel charges.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Insurance<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Because home values are high and properties often include custom construction, pools, guesthouses, and extensive landscaping, insurance coverage needs to be significantly higher than average in this neighborhood. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In California, the average homeowners insurance premium is already higher than the national average, but in Beverly Hills it often increases further due to replacement cost values that can run into the millions, as well as <\/span>elevated risks tied to wildfire exposure, water damage, and liability coverage for large estates<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For multi-million-dollar homes in Beverly Hills, <\/span>annual premiums can commonly range from five figures into the tens of thousands of dollars per year<\/b>, particularly when factoring in <\/span>umbrella liability coverage and policies<\/span><\/a> designed for high-value properties. These policies are often structured to fully rebuild custom homes to their exact specifications, which increases replacement cost coverage significantly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unique considerations for Beverly Hills homes<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Buying in Beverly Hills goes beyond selecting a beautiful home. Many of these properties come with layers of architectural, regulatory, and lifestyle considerations that can influence everything from renovation plans to long-term value.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n