1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Palo Alto, CA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Palo Alto, California as of July 2026. That's +23% lower than the citywide median of $4,299 and +137% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Palo Alto
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Palo Alto
Compare Palo Alto's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in California
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taft | $880 |
| 2 | Ridgecrest | $887 |
| 3 | Lakeport | $900 |
| 4 | California City | $950 |
| 5 | Clearlake | $950 |
| 6 | Barstow | $974 |
| 7 | Oroville | $1,005 |
| 8 | El Centro | $1,020 |
| 9 | Paradise | $1,020 |
| 10 | Red Bluff | $1,030 |
| 11 | Eureka | $1,040 |
| 12 | Porterville | $1,060 |
| 13 | Shafter | $1,060 |
| 14 | Tehachapi | $1,110 |
| 15 | Hanford | $1,120 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in California
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cupertino | $3,880 |
| 2 | Foster City | $3,820 |
| 3 | Santa Cruz | $3,710 |
| 4 | Scotts Valley | $3,600 |
| 5 | Aptos | $3,600 |
| 6 | Tiburon | $3,530 |
| 7 | Los Altos | $3,530 |
| 8 | Coronado | $3,460 |
| 9 | Sunnyvale | $3,438 |
| 10 | Millbrae | $3,410 |
| 11 | Corte Madera | $3,390 |
| 12 | Santa Barbara | $3,382 |
| 13 | Palo Alto (this page) | $3,305 |
| 14 | Mountain View | $3,303 |
| 15 | Ladera Ranch | $3,280 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Palo Alto.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Palo Alto |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Palo Alto, CA | 2.6 mi | $2,550 | $-755 (-23%) |
| Menlo Park, CA | 3.1 mi | $3,130 | $-175 (-5%) |
| Mountain View, CA | 5 mi | $3,303 | $-2 (0%) |
| Los Altos, CA | 5 mi | $3,530 | +$225 (+7%) |
| Redwood City, CA | 7.5 mi | $3,133 | $-172 (-5%) |
| Sunnyvale, CA | 8.7 mi | $3,438 | +$133 (+4%) |
| Newark, CA | 9 mi | $2,270 | $-1,035 (-31%) |
| Cupertino, CA | 9.5 mi | $3,880 | +$575 (+17%) |
| San Carlos, CA | 10.2 mi | $2,970 | $-335 (-10%) |
| Foster City, CA | 12.4 mi | $3,820 | +$515 (+16%) |
| Belmont, CA | 12.4 mi | $3,090 | $-215 (-7%) |
| Fremont, CA | 12.8 mi | $2,760 | $-545 (-16%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Palo Alto — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Palo Alto?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Palo Alto, California is $3,305 per month. This is +23% below the citywide median of $4,299.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Palo Alto?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $132,200 ($11,017/month gross), which works out to roughly $63.56/hour at a full-time job.
Is Palo Alto expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Palo Alto's 1-bedroom median of $3,305 is +137% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 99th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Palo Alto rank for 1-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 385 cities in California with 1-bedroom data, Palo Alto ranks #373 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Palo Alto?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include East Palo Alto ($2,550), Menlo Park ($3,130), Mountain View ($3,303).