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

Avg Rent

$3,050

Population

66,706

Renter Mix

48% Rent

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.

Demographics

Median Household Income

$209,152

Average: $206,328

Education

41,517

Residents Have a Degree

Job Market

34,721

Workers Employed

Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.

Median Age

43 Years

Largest Age Group

50-59 Years

Approximately 14% of Residents

Under 20

22%

Over 65

21%

Housing Distribution

Palo Alto has more homeowners than renters.

Renters
48%
Non-Renters
52%

Education Distribution

Review this city's overall education levels.

Bachelor's or Higher
60%
Other Education
40%

Rent Trends

As of April 2026, the average apartment rent in Palo Alto, CA is $2,963 for a studio, $3,026 for one bedroom, $3,848 for two bedrooms, and $4,917 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Palo Alto has increased by 2.9% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$3,026/month
634 Sq Ft
House
$10,382/month
2,304 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Palo Alto, CA

Getting Around

Somewhat Walkable

Walkability

30 / 100

Exceptionally Drivable

Drivability

100 / 100

Somewhat Bikeable

Bikeability

30 / 100

Schools

Ohlone Elementary

Public

Grades K-5

464 Students

Fairmeadow Elementary

Public

Grades K-5

425 Students

Juana Briones Elementary

Public

Grades K-5

260 Students

Herbert Hoover Elementary

Public

Grades K-5

389 Students

Duveneck Elementary

Public

Grades K-5

376 Students

Jane Lathrop Stanford Middle

Public

Grades 6-8

1,002 Students

Frank S. Greene Jr. Middle

Public

Grades 6-8

732 Students

Ellen Fletcher Middle

Public

Grades 6-8

572 Students

Palo Alto High

Public

Grades 9-12

1,891 Students

Henry M. Gunn High

Public

Grades 9-12

1,643 Students

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.

Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.