Bedroom count
Property type
Last updated on October 31, 2026
Average rent in
Palo Alto, CA
Average rent in
Last updated on October 31, 2026
Bedroom count
Property type
Key takeaways for renters
Where Palo Alto rent stands today
Palo Alto, CA rent rose 14.8% year over year, with a current median of $4,305/month. Renters today are paying $555 more per month on average than last year as the market climbs back from a recent trough but remains 5.2% below the peak seen in June 2026.
Vs. national rents
Palo Alto runs roughly 2.3× the $1,900/month national median, placing it among the most expensive metros in the country. The market is small with 64 total rentals, reflecting a high-cost, limited inventory environment.
Rent ranges by bedroom
Studios in Palo Alto rent for $2,785/month, 1-bedrooms for $3,500/month, and 2-bedrooms for $4,595/month, with 3-bedrooms at $7,295/month and 4+ bedrooms reaching $12,000/month. Apartments make up 65.7% of rentals and rent around $4,080/month, while houses rent for $7,295/month on average.
Neighborhood spotlight
Triple El rents fell 62.7% year over year to $4,380/month across 24 rentals, a stark contrast to the citywide 14.8% rise. Meanwhile, Monroe Park and Green Acres saw gains of 60.6% and 70.1%, respectively, showing significant neighborhood-level divergence in Palo Alto.
Median rent
Median rent in Palo Alto
$4,305/mo
15%vs previous year
The average rent in Palo Alto is $4,305 per month as of October 2026. This is 127% above the national average rent, or $2,405 more per month.
average price per square foot
Total rentals
Available rentals in Palo Alto
64
for rent on Zumper.com as of October 2026
Rent price distribution
Share of Palo Alto rentals at each price point
Rent trends in Palo Alto, CA
Average rent prices in Palo Alto have increased by 3% over the last month and have increased by 15% since last year.
Rent trends
Rent prices on this page are calculated on a rolling 30-day basis and updated daily.
Compare rent prices in
Palo Alto, CA
Rent prices in Palo Alto vary by bedroom size, rental type, and neighborhood. The average rent for an apartment in Palo Alto is $4,080, whereas a house costs $7,295. 1-bedroom apartments in Palo Alto run $3,810 on average, while 2-bedroom apartments are $4,950.
Listings | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,785 |  3% | 4% | |
1 bedroom | $3,500 | 2% | 19% | |
2 bedroom | $4,595 | 4% | 8% | |
3 bedroom | $7,295 | 6% | 3% | |
4 bedroom | $12,000 | 8% | 47% |
Listings | ||
|---|---|---|
Charleston Meadow | $5,425 | |
Crescent Park | $4,435 | |
Downtown North | $4,380 | |
Evergreen Park | $4,595 | |
Green Acres | $5,780 | |
Midtown | $4,320 | |
Old Palo Alto | $5,695 | |
St Claire Gardens | $4,320 | |
University South | $4,100 | |
Ventura | $5,440 |
Listings | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Apartments | $4,080 | 1% | 17% | |
Condos | $3,500 | 27% | 21% | |
Houses | $7,295 | 1% | 17% |
Studio
Average rent
$2,785
Last 30 days
3%
Last year
4%
1 bedroom
Average rent
$3,500
Last 30 days
2%
Last year
19%
2 bedroom
Average rent
$4,595
Last 30 days
4%
Last year
8%
3 bedroom
Average rent
$7,295
Last 30 days
6%
Last year
3%
4 bedroom
Average rent
$12,000
Last 30 days
8%
Last year
47%
University South
Average rent
$4,100
Crescent Park
Average rent
$4,435
Downtown North
Average rent
$4,380
Midtown
Average rent
$4,320
Charleston Meadow
Average rent
$5,425
Ventura
Average rent
$5,440
St Claire Gardens
Average rent
$4,320
Old Palo Alto
Average rent
$5,695
Evergreen Park
Average rent
$4,595
Green Acres
Average rent
$5,780
Apartments
Average rent
$4,080
Last 30 days
1%
Last year
17%
Condos
Average rent
$3,500
Last 30 days
27%
Last year
21%
Houses
Average rent
$7,295
Last 30 days
1%
Last year
17%
The table above reflects average rent prices in Palo Alto, CA, broken down by the number of bedrooms, neighborhoods, and property types. The availability of data for each category is dependent on market inventory and will adjust depending on your selected filters.
How does rent in Palo Alto, CA compare to other cities?
Compare median rent prices in Palo Alto and Fremont by all bedroom counts and property types.
Palo Alto
127%higher than the national median
68%higher than the national median
Takeaway
The median rent for all rentals in Palo Alto, CA is 35% higher than the median rent in Fremont, CA.
Average rent in nearby cities
Explore rent trends in neighboring markets
$3,200
12%$2,500
9%$3,591
14%$4,179
10%$3,766
13%$4,380
$3,359
10%$3,782
12%$3,567
13%$3,434
2%$3,810
12%$2,997
8%Discover rentals in Palo Alto, CA
5d+ ago
House for rent in Palo Alto
1 San Antonio Rd #E, Palo Alto, CA 94303
2 beds
1 bath
$1,400
Fees may apply. The price shown reflects base rent. Complete fee information is not available from the property, so additional fees may increase the total monthly cost.House for rent
Available Nov 24
1d ago
Midtown apartment for rent in Palo Alto
2 beds
1 bath
$3,795
Additional fees apply. The price shown reflects base rent. Based on information provided by the property, additional fees may apply, but no required monthly charges have been confirmed. See all fees for details.Apartment for rent
Available Oct 29
3d ago
Midtown apartment for rent in Palo Alto
2 beds
1 bath
$3,900
Price dropped $100Fees may apply. The price shown reflects base rent. Complete fee information is not available from the property, so additional fees may increase the total monthly cost.Apartment for rent
5d+ ago
Charleston Meadow apartment for rent in Palo Alto
2 beds
2 baths
$3,995
Additional fees apply. The price shown reflects base rent. Based on information provided by the property, additional fees may apply, but no required monthly charges have been confirmed. See all fees for details.Apartment for rent
Available Oct 16
5d+ ago
Duveneck - St. Francis house for rent in Palo Alto
4 beds
3 baths
$20,000
Fees may apply. The price shown reflects base rent. Complete fee information is not available from the property, so additional fees may increase the total monthly cost.House for rent
5d+ ago
Old Palo Alto house for rent in Palo Alto
595 Seale Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94301
3 beds
2 baths
$20,000
Fees may apply. The price shown reflects base rent. Complete fee information is not available from the property, so additional fees may increase the total monthly cost.House for rent
Available Sep 22
5d+ ago
University South house for rent in Palo Alto
3 beds
2.5 baths
$14,500
Fees may apply. The price shown reflects base rent. Complete fee information is not available from the property, so additional fees may increase the total monthly cost.House for rent
5d+ ago
Crescent Park house for rent in Palo Alto
1462 Dana Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94301
4 beds
3.5 baths
$13,500
Fees may apply. The price shown reflects base rent. Complete fee information is not available from the property, so additional fees may increase the total monthly cost.House for rent
1h ago
Verified
801 Middlefield Rd #1711, Palo Alto, CA 94301
2 beds
2 baths
$8,020
Fees may apply. The price shown reflects base rent. Complete fee information is not available from the property, so additional fees may increase the total monthly cost.Apartment for rent
17h ago
Verified
565 Arastradero Rd #275, Palo Alto, CA 94306
1 bed
1 bath
$4,540
Fees may apply. The price shown reflects base rent. Complete fee information is not available from the property, so additional fees may increase the total monthly cost.Apartment for rent
1d ago
Verified
715 Everett Ave #1763, Palo Alto, CA 94301
1–3 beds
1–2 baths
$4,360–$7,340
Fees may apply. The price shown reflects base rent. Complete fee information is not available from the property, so additional fees may increase the total monthly cost.Apartment for rent
1d ago
Verified
345 Sheridan Ave #2016, Palo Alto, CA 94306
1–2 beds
1–2 baths
$4,970–$6,110
Fees may apply. The price shown reflects base rent. Complete fee information is not available from the property, so additional fees may increase the total monthly cost.Apartment for rent
3d ago
Verified
3375 Alma St, Palo Alto, CA 94306
Studio–2 beds
1–2 baths
$2,785–$4,175
Additional fees apply. The price shown reflects base rent. Based on information provided by the property, additional fees may apply, but no required monthly charges have been confirmed. See all fees for details.Apartment for rent
1h ago
Verified
2865 Park Blvd #1037, Palo Alto, CA 94306
2 beds
2 baths
$4,940
Fees may apply. The price shown reflects base rent. Complete fee information is not available from the property, so additional fees may increase the total monthly cost.Apartment for rent
10h ago
Verified
837 Cowper St #1381, Palo Alto, CA 94301
1–2 beds
1–2 baths
$4,080–$6,560
Fees may apply. The price shown reflects base rent. Complete fee information is not available from the property, so additional fees may increase the total monthly cost.Apartment for rent
17h ago
Verified
1 bed
1 bath
$4,830
Fees may apply. The price shown reflects base rent. Complete fee information is not available from the property, so additional fees may increase the total monthly cost.House for rent
1d ago
Midtown apartment for rent in Palo Alto
2 beds
1 bath
$3,795
Additional fees apply. The price shown reflects base rent. Based on information provided by the property, additional fees may apply, but no required monthly charges have been confirmed. See all fees for details.Apartment for rent
Available Oct 29
5d+ ago
Charleston Meadow apartment for rent in Palo Alto
2 beds
2 baths
$3,995
Additional fees apply. The price shown reflects base rent. Based on information provided by the property, additional fees may apply, but no required monthly charges have been confirmed. See all fees for details.Apartment for rent
Available Oct 16
5d+ ago
Charleston Meadow apartment for rent in Palo Alto
2 beds
2 baths
$4,595
Additional fees apply. The price shown reflects base rent. Based on information provided by the property, additional fees may apply, but no required monthly charges have been confirmed. See all fees for details.Apartment for rent
Available Oct 13
5d+ ago
Midtown apartment for rent in Palo Alto
1 bed
1 bath
$3,295
Additional fees apply. The price shown reflects base rent. Based on information provided by the property, additional fees may apply, but no required monthly charges have been confirmed. See all fees for details.Apartment for rent
Available Oct 13
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Frequently asked questions for Palo Alto, CA
Quick answers to common questions about the Palo Alto rental market.
How much is rent in Palo Alto?
The average rent in Palo Alto is $4,305 per month as of October 24, 2026.
Is rent up or down in Palo Alto?
Average rent prices in Palo Alto have increased by 3% over the last month and have increased by 15% since last year.
How does Palo Alto rent compare to the national average?
Rent in Palo Alto is 127% above the national average, which means renters are paying approximately $2,405 more per month.
Which neighborhoods are most affordable in Palo Alto?
The most affordable neighborhoods in Palo Alto are University South ($4,100/mo), Midtown ($4,320/mo), and St Claire Gardens ($4,320/mo).
What salary do I need to afford rent in Palo Alto?
To comfortably afford rent in Palo Alto, you'd need to earn approximately $172,000/year, based on spending no more than 30% of your income on rent.
When is the best time of year to rent in Palo Alto?
Winter months like December and January offer the best rental deals in Palo Alto, with rents running about 15% lower than peak summer prices. April and May are the most competitive months with higher demand relative to available inventory.
Methodology
Rent prices are based on Zumper's rental listings from the past 30 days. Median rent is calculated across all available listings and property types on the platform. If you filter the page by bedroom count or property type, the pricing throughout the page will update automatically to reflect that segment of the rental market.
Household and population data come from the U.S. Census Bureau. Cost-of-living data is sourced from the Council for Community and Economic Research's Cost of Living Index (COLI).