Palo Alto

The fountain at Foothill College in Los Altos Hills is the perfect place for a family picture.
Los Altos Hills is filled with many different nature preserves.
The Los Altos Hills are large and feature the natural beauty of the area.
There are many home types spread throughout the Los Altos Hills.
The Posh Bagel offers the most delicious bagels to Los Altos Hills residents.

Palo Alto, CA Area Guide

The birthplace of Silicon Valley is a California dream

Upscale Bayfront Nature Bicycle-Friendly College Town University Multicultural High-Tech

Living in Palo Alto places you in Silicon Valley, where historic neighborhoods complement the city's technological presence. Tree-lined streets wind through the community, which is anchored by Stanford University. University Avenue features local boutiques and restaurants housed in preserved historic buildings, while the Stanford Shopping Center offers high-end retail destinations. The city maintains 36 parks and preserves, including the Baylands Nature Preserve and Foothills Park, where residents enjoy hiking trails and outdoor activities. Palo Alto's infrastructure supports alternative transportation, with dedicated bike lanes throughout the city.

The rental market in Palo Alto reflects the area's popularity, with current average rents ranging from $2,634 for studios to $6,139 for four-bedroom homes. Recent trends show steady growth, with rent increases varying from 1.8% to 17% across different unit sizes over the past year. Housing options include historic properties in Professorville, apartments near California Avenue, and residential communities in College Terrace. Downtown North offers proximity to University Avenue's shops and dining, while Midtown features local shopping centers and tree-lined streets. The city maintains strict building codes and zoning laws to preserve its architectural heritage while accommodating new development.

Explore the City

The Los Altos Hills are large and feature the natural beauty of the area.

There are many home types spread throughout the Los Altos Hills.

The Posh Bagel offers the most delicious bagels to Los Altos Hills residents.

Majestic wildlife can be found throughout the Los Altos Hills.

Downtown Los Altos offers many shopping and dining options.

The town of Los Altos is filled with spacious lots surrounded by beautiful scenery.

Rent Trends

As of March 2026, the average apartment rent in Palo Alto, CA is $2,952 for a studio, $3,013 for one bedroom, $3,840 for two bedrooms, and $4,894 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Palo Alto has increased by 3.0% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$3,013/month
634 Sq Ft
House
$9,140/month
1,976 Sq Ft
Condo
$3,297/month
950 Sq Ft
Townhome
$5,620/month
1,625 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Palo Alto, CA

Getting Around

Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Palo Alto, CA is for everyday living.

Very Walkable

76 / 100

If you enjoy walking, you’ll enjoy renting in this area! It’s a very walkable neighborhood.

Some Transit

41 / 100

You'll likely want a car when living in this area since it has few transit options.

Biker's Paradise

94 / 100

Do you prefer to get around on two wheels? You’ll love living in this neighborhood, which is considered a biker’s paradise.

Schools

Juana Briones Elementary

Public

Grades K-5

Fairmeadow Elementary

Public

Grades K-5

Ohlone Elementary

Public

Grades K-5

Walter Hays Elementary

Public

Grades K-5

Herbert Hoover Elementary

Public

Grades K-5

Frank S. Greene Jr. Middle

Public

Grades 6-8

Ellen Fletcher Middle

Public

Grades 6-8

Palo Alto High

Public

Grades 9-12

Henry M. Gunn High

Public

Grades 9-12

Points of Interest

Top Apartments in Palo Alto

Houses for Rent in Palo Alto

Property Management Companies in Palo Alto, CA

Search Nearby Rentals

Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in February 2026.