Santa Clara County
Palo Alto
Stanford's quiet gravity, Eichler heritage, and the most concentrated wealth on the Peninsula.
Median
$3.8M
Inventory
Tight
Schools
10 / 10
Palo Alto remains the gravitational center of the Peninsula. Demand is driven by Stanford-affiliated families, executives at neighboring tech companies, and global buyers seeking a foothold in California's strongest school district. Inventory is structurally tight; prepared sellers consistently see multiple offers within ten days.
What sets it apart
- Crescent Park, Old Palo Alto, and Professorville command the highest premiums
- Eichler-original homes in Greenmeadow and Midtown attract architecture-led buyers
- Walking access to University Avenue and California Avenue corridors
Market note
Year-over-year median list price up 6.4%. Average days on market: 11. Off-market activity accounts for roughly 22% of recorded sales.
Market snapshot
Palo Alto at a glance
- Approx. single-family median (2025–2026)
- $3.6M – $4.0M
- Typical days on market
- 10–14 days
- Property tax base rate
- 1% + local assessments (Prop 13)
- Primary commute corridors
- US-101, I-280, Caltrain (California Ave, Palo Alto)
ZIP codes: 94301, 94303, 94304, 94306
Schools
Public schools serving Palo Alto
Palo Alto High School (Paly) · 9–12
Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD)
Henry M. Gunn High School · 9–12
PAUSD
Jordan, Fletcher, and Greene Middle Schools · 6–8
PAUSD
Multiple K–5 elementary schools · K–5
Attendance boundaries determine access — verify per address at pausd.org
Frequently asked
About Palo Alto real estate
What is the median home price in Palo Alto?
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Single-family home sale prices in Palo Alto have generally ranged from about $3.6M to $4.0M in 2025–2026, with significant variation by neighborhood (Old Palo Alto, Crescent Park, and Professorville trend higher; Midtown and Ventura trend lower). Condos and townhomes typically start closer to $1.2M–$1.8M.
Which school district serves Palo Alto?
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Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD) serves nearly all of Palo Alto. High school attendance is split between Palo Alto High (Paly) and Henry M. Gunn High. Elementary and middle school assignments depend on your street address — confirm boundaries at pausd.org before making an offer.
How competitive is the Palo Alto market?
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Well-prepared listings typically receive multiple offers within 10–14 days. Off-market and pre-market activity accounts for a meaningful share of transactions, so buyers benefit from working with an agent who has direct access to that network.
What are property taxes like in Palo Alto?
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California's Prop 13 sets a base rate of roughly 1% of assessed value, with local school bonds and assessments typically bringing the effective rate to about 1.1%–1.25%. Reassessment occurs on sale; Prop 19 may allow qualifying homeowners 55+ to transfer their base year value.
Market ranges reflect recent MLSListings and public county recorder data for 2025–2026 and are approximate. Individual property values vary. School assignments and ratings change over time — always verify with the district and independent sources (GreatSchools, CDE) for your specific address. Equal Housing Opportunity.
Live listings
Homes for sale in Palo Alto
Real-time MLS inventory, refreshed continuously. Save searches and request private tours. Also see our off-market & coming-soon inventory — several Palo Alto-area homes never reach Zillow or Redfin.
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