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Rental Market Trends in Palo Alto, CA

Updated July 2026

The average rent in Palo Alto, CA is $3,133/month.

Rent in Palo Alto is 88% higher than the national average rent of $1,663/month, making this one of the more expensive cities statewide.

$3,133/month

Average Rent

636 Sq Ft

Average Size

+4.3%

Change / Year

817

Available Apartments

Palo Alto rent varies by unit size and layout:

  • Studio apartments in Palo Alto average $3,145 per month.
  • One-bedroom apartments in Palo Alto average $3,133 per month.
  • Two-bedroom apartments in Palo Alto average $3,943 per month.
  • Three-bedroom apartments in Palo Alto average $5,015 or more per month.

Average Rent by Home Type

Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Studio
$3,145/month
411 Sq Ft
One Bedroom
$3,133/month
636 Sq Ft
Two Bedroom
$3,943/month
914 Sq Ft
Three Bedroom
$5,015/month
1,187 Sq Ft
Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Two Bedroom
$5,529/month
918 Sq Ft
Three Bedroom
$7,801/month
1,484 Sq Ft
Four Bedroom
$14,127/month
2,977 Sq Ft
Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Three Bedroom
$7,718/month
1,944 Sq Ft
View Palo Alto Apartments

How much has average rent changed in Palo Alto, CA?

In the past year, rent has increased by 4.3%, which averages out to $136 more per month.

Market Trends Over Time

July 2026

2025 2026
Market Trends Over Time

Rent Ranges in Palo Alto, CA

July 2026
Above $2,000
Most rental prices fall within this range
Rent Ranges in Palo Alto, CA
Percentage*
Rent Range
0% Below $700/month
1% $700 - $1,000/month
1% $1,001 - $1,500/month
7% $1,501 - $2,000/month
91% Above $2,000/month

Rent by Neighborhood

  • Most Affordable
  • Most Expensive
  • Most Available

What are the most affordable neighborhoods in Palo Alto?

Based on current rent prices, Crescent Park, Midtown Palo Alto and Downtown Palo Alto are the most affordable neighborhoods in Palo Alto.

Calculate Rent Affordability
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Crescent Park
$3,020/month
571 Sq Ft
Midtown Palo Alto
$3,640/month
673 Sq Ft
Downtown Palo Alto
$3,903/month
647 Sq Ft

What are the most expensive neighborhoods in Palo Alto?

Based on current rent prices, Downtown Palo Alto, Midtown Palo Alto and Crescent Park are the most expensive neighborhoods in Palo Alto.

Calculate Rent Affordability
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Downtown Palo Alto
$3,903/month
647 Sq Ft
Midtown Palo Alto
$3,640/month
673 Sq Ft
Crescent Park
$3,020/month
571 Sq Ft

Which Palo Alto neighborhoods have the most rentals available?

The neighborhoods in Palo Alto with the most apartments available are Downtown Palo Alto, Midtown Palo Alto and Crescent Park .

Calculate Rent Affordability
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Downtown Palo Alto
$3,903/month
647 Sq Ft
Midtown Palo Alto
$3,640/month
673 Sq Ft
Crescent Park
$3,020/month
571 Sq Ft
This information is based on data collected by CoStar Group researchers.†

What salary do I need to live comfortably in Palo Alto, CA?

Because the average rent in Palo Alto is $3,133, you’ll want to make about $10,443 per month or $125,316 per year. The general guideline is to pay no more than 30 percent of your monthly income on rent. However, you’ll want to consider additional factors, such as your monthly bills and other expenses. Use our rent affordability calculator to help determine how much to budget for rent.

City

Palo Alto, CA

817 Available Apartments for Rent

Search for Nearby Apartments

How does Palo Alto, CA compare to other nearby cities and neighborhoods?

Use the tool below to compare Palo Alto, CA to other nearby cities and neighborhoods. The Apartments.com neighborhood guides provide you with insight into the area’s transportation, things to do, and more.

View the Palo Alto Area Guide

Apartment Averages

Crescent Park

Palo Alto, CA

Downtown Palo Alto

Palo Alto, CA

Studio
$3,128/month
$3,286/month
One Bedroom
$3,452/month
$3,430/month
Two Bedroom
$4,567/month
$5,114/month
Three Bedroom
$5,022/month
$8,386/month
View Rentals
View Rentals

Compare Rent Trends Nearby

Get a clearer picture of the area by viewing rent trends in nearby cities.

  • Los Altos Hills

    Los Altos Hills

  • Los Altos

    Los Altos

  • Mountain View

    Mountain View

  • Menlo Park

    Menlo Park

Apartment Communities in Palo Alto We Think You'll Love

Fayette Arms Apartments

Fayette Arms Apartments

2680 Fayette Dr,
Mountain View, CA 94040

1-2 Beds | $3,152 - $3,415

Sevens

Sevens

777 W Middlefield Rd,
Mountain View, CA 94043

Studio - 2 Beds | $3,497 - $6,992

Rowe at Pear Village

Rowe at Pear Village

1265 Pear Ave,
Mountain View, CA 94043

Studio - 2 Beds | $4,144 - $5,839

Woodland Park

Woodland Park

45 Newell Rd,
East Palo Alto, CA 94303

Studio - 4 Beds | $1,700 - $4,075

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average rent in Palo Alto?

The average rent in Palo Alto is $3,133 per month, which is 88.4% higher than the national average of $1,663.

What is the average rent for a house in Palo Alto?

The average rent for a house in Palo Alto, CA is $7,801 per month.

Are rents going up or down in Palo Alto?

Rents in Palo Alto, CA are increasing, with prices up 4.3% year-over-year and $136 more per month.

What rent range is most common in Palo Alto?

In Palo Alto, CA, 91% of apartments fall above $2,000/month, though prices may vary depending on location and other factors.

United States California Palo Alto Rental Trends

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 June 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.

* Percentages may not total 100 due to rounding.

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© 2026 CoStar Group, Inc. Equal Housing Opportunity

Equal Housing Opportunity

© 2026 CoStar Group, Inc.

Equal Housing Opportunity