Economy, jobs and prices in Palo Alto, California: official figures
The median household income in Palo Alto was $231,101 a year in the 2020-2024 American Community Survey (in 2024 dollars), 3rd highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more; the US median was $80,734 and the California median $99,122.
What is the per capita income in Palo Alto?
Income per resident (per capita income) in Palo Alto averaged $123,939 a year in 2020-2024, the highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: $44,673; California: $49,513).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow unequal are incomes in Palo Alto?
Palo Alto's Gini index of household income inequality was 0.492 in 2020-2024 (0 means equal incomes, 1 maximum inequality), 135th most unequal of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more; the US figure was 0.483.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat is the unemployment rate in Palo Alto, California?
3.9% of the civilian labor force in Palo Alto was unemployed on average over 2020-2024 (1,334 people), 164th lowest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more; the US rate in the same survey was 5.2% and California's 6.6%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many people in Palo Alto have jobs?
32,617 residents of Palo Alto held civilian jobs, 59.8% of those aged 16 and over (US: 59.7%), and 40 served in the armed forces.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat are the main industries in Palo Alto?
The largest industry group for working residents of Palo Alto was professional, scientific, management and administrative services (30.4% of employed residents), followed by education, health care and social assistance (27.2%) and manufacturing (11.0%), 2020-2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many people in Palo Alto work in manufacturing?
Manufacturing employed 11.0% of working residents of Palo Alto, 248th highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 9.9%); professional, scientific and management services employed 30.4% (US: 12.6%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow long is the commute in Palo Alto, California?
Commuters in Palo Alto took 21.4 minutes on average to get to work in 2020-2024, 224th shortest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 26.4 minutes); 3.5% travelled an hour or more and 28.2% less than 15 minutes.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow do people in Palo Alto get to work?
35.4% of workers living in Palo Alto worked from home in 2020-2024, 13th highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 15.1%). 44.2% drove to work alone, 4.6% carpooled, 2.0% used public transport and 4.6% walked.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat is the average rent in Palo Alto, California?
The median gross rent (rent plus utilities) in Palo Alto was $3,484 a month in 2020-2024, 2nd highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: $1,413; California: $2,036).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does a house cost in Palo Alto?
Owner-occupied homes in Palo Alto had a median value of more than $2,000,000 in 2020-2024 as estimated by their owners, one of 3 of the 823 US cities of 50,000 or more at the survey's top reporting value (US: $332,700; California: $734,700).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many households in Palo Alto have no internet?
2.0% of households in Palo Alto (533) had no internet access at home in 2020-2024, 84th lowest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 6.5%); 5.8% relied on a cellular data plan alone (US: 11.5%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Palo Alto compares with other cities in the United States
Median household income (2024 dollars) (2020-2024)
Palo Alto ranks 3 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Median household income (2024 dollars) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sammamish | $239,690 |
| 2 | Cupertino | $234,707 |
| 3 | Palo Alto | $231,101 |
| 4 | Dublin | $214,385 |
| 5 | San Ramon | $196,161 |
| 6 | Newton | $190,304 |
| 7 | Pleasanton | $190,124 |
Per capita income (2024 dollars) (2020-2024)
Palo Alto ranks 1 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Per capita income (2024 dollars) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Palo Alto | $123,939 |
| 2 | Newport Beach | $112,622 |
| 3 | Mountain View | $112,591 |
| 4 | Cupertino | $110,519 |
| 5 | Hoboken | $109,360 |
| 6 | Sunnyvale | $101,185 |
| 7 | Sammamish | $98,874 |
Gini index of household income inequality (2020-2024)
Palo Alto ranks 135 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Gini index of household income inequality |
|---|---|---|
| 132 | Downers Grove | 0.492 |
| 133 | Lexington | 0.492 |
| 134 | Charleston | 0.492 |
| 135 | Palo Alto | 0.492 |
| 136 | Bowling Green | 0.492 |
| 137 | Gulfport | 0.491 |
| 138 | Daytona Beach | 0.491 |
Unemployment rate (share of civilian labor force) (2020-2024)
Palo Alto ranks 660 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Unemployment rate (share of civilian labor force) |
|---|---|---|
| 657 | Ann Arbor | 3.9% |
| 658 | Elkhart | 3.9% |
| 659 | Rockville | 3.9% |
| 660 | Palo Alto | 3.9% |
| 661 | Edina | 3.9% |
| 662 | San Angelo | 3.9% |
| 663 | Orem | 3.9% |
Labor force participation rate (16 and over) (2020-2024)
Palo Alto ranks 614 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Labor force participation rate (16 and over) |
|---|---|---|
| 611 | Whittier | 62.4% |
| 612 | Great Falls | 62.4% |
| 613 | Albany | 62.4% |
| 614 | Palo Alto | 62.3% |
| 615 | Texas City | 62.3% |
| 616 | Lynwood | 62.3% |
| 617 | Beaumont | 62.3% |
Mean travel time to work (minutes) (2020-2024)
Palo Alto ranks 600 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Mean travel time to work (minutes) |
|---|---|---|
| 597 | Fort Wayne | 21.5 |
| 598 | Winston-Salem | 21.5 |
| 599 | New Britain | 21.5 |
| 600 | Palo Alto | 21.4 |
| 601 | Brownsville | 21.4 |
| 602 | Eden Prairie | 21.4 |
| 603 | Daytona Beach | 21.4 |
Workers who worked from home (2020-2024)
Palo Alto ranks 13 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Workers who worked from home |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | Apex | 36.0% |
| 11 | Celina | 35.8% |
| 12 | Bellevue | 35.6% |
| 13 | Palo Alto | 35.4% |
| 14 | Seattle | 34.8% |
| 15 | Dublin | 34.7% |
| 16 | Boulder | 34.4% |
Workers commuting by public transportation (2020-2024)
Palo Alto ranks 263 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Workers commuting by public transportation |
|---|---|---|
| 260 | Bolingbrook | 2.0% |
| 261 | Longmont | 2.0% |
| 262 | Akron | 2.0% |
| 263 | Palo Alto | 2.0% |
| 264 | Santa Barbara | 2.0% |
| 265 | Columbus | 1.9% |
| 266 | Pomona | 1.9% |
Employed residents working in manufacturing (2020-2024)
Palo Alto ranks 248 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Employed residents working in manufacturing |
|---|---|---|
| 245 | Pasadena | 11.0% |
| 246 | Pearland | 11.0% |
| 247 | Gilroy | 11.0% |
| 248 | Palo Alto | 11.0% |
| 249 | San Ramon | 11.0% |
| 250 | Wake Forest | 11.0% |
| 251 | Simi Valley | 11.0% |
Employed residents in education, health care and social assistance (2020-2024)
Palo Alto ranks 145 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Employed residents in education, health care and social assistance |
|---|---|---|
| 142 | Jackson | 27.2% |
| 143 | Lincoln | 27.2% |
| 144 | Stonecrest | 27.2% |
| 145 | Palo Alto | 27.2% |
| 146 | Minneapolis | 27.1% |
| 147 | Pharr | 27.1% |
| 148 | Lancaster | 27.1% |
Median gross rent per month (2020-2024)
Palo Alto ranks 2 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Median gross rent per month |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cupertino | more than $3,500 |
| 2 | Palo Alto | $3,484 |
| 3 | Newport Beach | $3,316 |
| 4 | Eastvale | $3,252 |
| 5 | Dublin | $3,191 |
| 6 | Milpitas | $3,120 |
| 7 | San Mateo | $3,077 |
Median value of owner-occupied homes (2020-2024)
Palo Alto ranks 2 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Median value of owner-occupied homes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Newport Beach | more than $2,000,000 |
| 2 | Palo Alto | more than $2,000,000 |
| 3 | Cupertino | more than $2,000,000 |
| 4 | Mountain View | $1,927,000 |
| 5 | Sunnyvale | $1,801,800 |
| 6 | Redwood City | $1,801,700 |
| 7 | Santa Monica | $1,755,500 |
Occupied homes lived in by their owners (2020-2024)
Palo Alto ranks 505 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Occupied homes lived in by their owners |
|---|---|---|
| 502 | Longview | 54.7% |
| 503 | Madera | 54.7% |
| 504 | Richmond | 54.7% |
| 505 | Palo Alto | 54.6% |
| 506 | Evansville | 54.6% |
| 507 | Cicero | 54.6% |
| 508 | Conroe | 54.5% |
Households with a broadband subscription (2020-2024)
Palo Alto ranks 104 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Households with a broadband subscription |
|---|---|---|
| 101 | Carlsbad | 96.1% |
| 102 | West Jordan | 96.1% |
| 103 | Plymouth | 96.1% |
| 104 | Palo Alto | 96.1% |
| 105 | Franklin | 96.0% |
| 106 | Hoboken | 96.0% |
| 107 | Newport Beach | 96.0% |
Households with no internet access (2020-2024)
Palo Alto ranks 740 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Households with no internet access |
|---|---|---|
| 737 | Milpitas | 2.1% |
| 738 | Allen | 2.1% |
| 739 | Brentwood | 2.1% |
| 740 | Palo Alto | 2.0% |
| 741 | Plainfield | 2.0% |
| 742 | Walnut Creek | 2.0% |
| 743 | Hillsboro | 2.0% |
More on Palo Alto: overview · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · government budget · all cities in the United States
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B08013: Aggregate Travel Time to Work (in Minutes) of Workers by Sex (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 6939fdfa046fd5bb829ec8da9549e66298cc740f6a3f5dd60e1920a08e3083fb), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 5f94e7878b6a…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B23025: Employment Status for the Population 16 Years and Over (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 264a5bd9367c5f58d9773fa4966fa94fe1e02f9c7106bc2ab39168d6de7c3e4a), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 2630e6946370…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B19083: Gini Index of Income Inequality (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 338f7a1191eaaf3913913e78c36aaa9d82f2b5c8faaf889be2e597b28869205e), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 b8cf854b1f94…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table C24030: Sex by Industry for the Civilian Employed Population 16 Years and Over (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 66a2799a71a5fc36f0e3bc22767fe5bdd8f96eb29e85b91311e990d35cc14114), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 5d717c57e7e4…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B19013: Median Household Income in the Past 12 Months (in 2024 Inflation-Adjusted Dollars) (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 b25a176b0e6c339b6f3a2a0d3d8446bf06f5f080b4395993ec9a8313efb1c229), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 1d8a264807c6…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B08301: Means of Transportation to Work (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 552b24c135b6e7c566910914a861cda6fc798ba0cd47801b1eb64295a128c2ee), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 eaf823006d53…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B19301: Per Capita Income in the Past 12 Months (in 2024 Inflation-Adjusted Dollars) (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 9fc107e98fee7fa49bb8314560205569184fad65fb64b80adb5c5bdd83ccc409), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 24c1e725b26a…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B25064: Median Gross Rent (Dollars) (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 b36e6dc1fcef36b8b307d31b37517b64c80d8b9c70d48c9b1894242860f42eb0), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 b842a7ff825c…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B25077: Median Value (Dollars) (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 89eb2153764a2330b23959d8bbc29b3a8f3016f087b990f2a8ea0d5096d9a816), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 22b59a3b1acb…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B28002: Presence and Types of Internet Subscriptions in Household (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 12446ff0691b8818f5908cdc398817361772c5b3078c506d0409adc9c841840b), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 4b375b368bf9…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B25003: Tenure (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 68e963e1ed60fcf6b0658579cefc6498b7a9eb780b9f3e87fd1b9775c4d4ac6c), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 2983c28f47fa…)
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