City

Palo Alto, CA

Neighborhood RatingNeighborhood RatingNeighborhood RatingNeighborhood RatingNeighborhood Rating
4.2 /5

Neighborhood Factors

Market Conditions

  • Neighborhood Factors
    Price
    $3.84M
  • Neighborhood Factors
    Overvalued
    $40k
  • Neighborhood Factors
    Appreciation
    -2%

At a glance

Palo Alto has 27 ranked neighborhoods on Houseberry, with a citywide overall score of 4.2/5. Neighborhood overall scores range from 4.8/5 in Duveneck - St. Francis to 3.4/5 in Page Mill. Palo Alto scores 3.9/5 for safety, 4.8/5 for schools and 3.5/5 for amenities. The median home price across its priced neighborhoods is $3.84M.

City Reviews & Questions

City Review
Key Words: Innovation Hub, Lush Greenery, Academic and Cultural Richness

Palo Alto, the birthplace of Silicon Valley, stands as a testament to the harmonious blend of innovation, academia, and residential charm. It's a city where the future is being written by the minds of tech visionaries and Stanford scholars. The residential streets of Palo Alto are a showcase of architectural diversity and elegance, with stately homes from the early 20th century sitting alongside modern marvels of eco-friendly design. This architectural tapestry is woven through with lush greenery, a nod to the city’s commitment to natural beauty and sustainability. Palo Alto’s amenities reflect its status as a cultural and intellectual epicenter. The verdant Stanford University campus is not just for students; it’s a community resource, offering public art, performances, and lectures. The city's numerous parks, like the sprawling Rinconada Park, offer recreational opportunities, while the vibrant University Avenue pulses with an array of boutiques, cafes, and fine dining. The schools in Palo Alto are among the highest-rated in the nation, with a community deeply invested in educational excellence. From public schools to prestigious private institutions, the focus on learning and development is clear. Yet, for all its affluence and prestige, Palo Alto grapples with issues like housing affordability and traffic congestion, challenges that come with being at the center of a global tech capital. The city is actively engaged in finding solutions that preserve its character and continue to make it a desirable place to live. In essence, Palo Alto offers a slice of life that is rich in culture, innovation, and community spirit. It's a city that prides itself on being at the forefront of change while maintaining a deep connection to its historical roots and community values. Living in Palo Alto means embracing a lifestyle that values education, innovation, and community engagement in equal measure.

Top Neighborhoods in Palo Alto, CA(27 ranked)

1st
Neighborhood Iamge
Duveneck - St. Francis, Palo Alto, CA
Overall Score : 4.8
Duveneck - St. Francis is a family-oriented enclave where tree-lined streets ser... See Full Page
2nd
Neighborhood Iamge
Greenmeadow, Palo Alto, CA
Overall Score : 4.8
Greenmeadow in Palo Alto is an exceptional example of what a planned community c... See Full Page
3rd
Neighborhood Iamge
Leland Manor - Embarcadero Oaks - Garland Drive, Palo Alto, CA
Overall Score : 4.7
Leland Manor stands out for its strong family orientation. The neighborhood is h... See Full Page

City Amenities

  • Neighborhood Amenities
    Near good merchants

    3.3

  • Neighborhood Amenities
    Public Spaces

    3.1

  • Neighborhood Amenities
    Curb Appeal

    3.2

Overall Amenities score: 3.5

City Weather

79%
of possible sunshine
Of all the daylight Palo Alto gets in a year, 79% arrives as sunshine - clouds and fog block the rest.
That is around the 51st percentile for sunshine in the Bay Area.
Average daily high and low temperature
80°65°50°35°JFMAMJJASONDAug 79°
Avg highAvg low
Across the Bay Area
51st percentile
Rain per year
16 in
Warmest month
August
Summer day
56° → 78°F
Winter day
43° → 60°F
Averaged across the 27 neighborhoods in Palo Alto we hold 30-year climate averages for.

City Photos

Schools serving this City

Click links for school listing

info at GreatSchools.org

Houseberry School Score Data

from CA Dept. of Education

Houseberry recommends using these scores as only a starting point, and conducting your own investigation into what schools fit best for your preferences. School boundaries are not guaranteed and may change. It is important to contact the appropriate school district to confirm enrollment eligibility before making any decision to move to a neighborhood.

Median Price

Palo Alto FAQs8 answers

Is Palo Alto safe?

Palo Alto has a citywide safety score of 3.9/5 on Houseberry. Across its ranked neighborhoods safety scores run from 2.3/5 to 5.0/5, with Duveneck - St. Francis the highest-scoring. 12 of its 27 ranked neighborhoods score 4.0/5 or higher for safety.

How much does a home cost in Palo Alto?

The median home price across Palo Alto's priced neighborhoods is $3.84M. Neighborhood medians run from $1.9M to $11.5M across the 27 neighborhoods with a recorded price.

What are school scores like in Palo Alto?

Palo Alto has a citywide school score of 4.8/5 on Houseberry. Neighborhood school scores run from 4.6/5 to 5.0/5, with Adobe Meadow - Meadow Park the highest-scoring. 27 of its 27 ranked neighborhoods score 4.0/5 or higher for schools.

Which Palo Alto neighborhoods rank highest overall?

By overall score the highest-ranked Palo Alto neighborhoods on Houseberry are Duveneck - St. Francis (4.8/5), Greenmeadow (4.8/5), Leland Manor - Embarcadero Oaks - Garland Drive (4.7/5), Old Palo Alto (4.6/5) and South of Midtown (4.6/5).

Which Palo Alto neighborhoods have the lowest median prices?

The lowest neighborhood medians recorded in Palo Alto are Monroe Park ($1.9M), Adobe Meadow - Meadow Park ($2.72M), Fairmeadow ($2.94M), Duveneck - St. Francis ($2.98M) and College Terrace ($3.02M).

Is Palo Alto more or less expensive than nearby cities?

Palo Alto's median of $3.84M sits alongside Menlo Park $3.48M, Mountain View $2.76M, Atherton $7.68M, Los Altos $4.66M and Portola Valley $4.23M among nearby cities on Houseberry.

How does Palo Alto rank among cities in Santa Clara County?

Houseberry ranks Palo Alto #3 of the 18 places it scores in Santa Clara County for overall score. It is #5 of 17 for schools and #4 of 18 for safety.

What amenities does Palo Alto have?

Palo Alto scores 3.5/5 for amenities on Houseberry. That is made up of 3.3/5 for nearby merchants, 3.1/5 for public spaces and 3.2/5 for curb appeal.

Follow this city for updates

City Photos

Top Neighborhoods in Palo Alto, CA(27 ranked)

1st
Neighborhood Iamge
Duveneck - St. Francis, Palo Alto, CA
Overall Score : 4.8
Duveneck - St. Francis is a family-oriented enclave where tree-lined streets ser... See Full Page
2nd
Neighborhood Iamge
Greenmeadow, Palo Alto, CA
Overall Score : 4.8
Greenmeadow in Palo Alto is an exceptional example of what a planned community c... See Full Page
3rd
Neighborhood Iamge
Leland Manor - Embarcadero Oaks - Garland Drive, Palo Alto, CA
Overall Score : 4.7
Leland Manor stands out for its strong family orientation. The neighborhood is h... See Full Page

City Map

View Full Map

Contact Houseberry's 2026 Agent Pick for Palo Alto
Follow this city for updates

Scores updated September 2026