4+ Bedroom Apartment Rent in Palo Alto, CA
Median asking rent for a 4+ bedroom apartment in Palo Alto, California as of August 2026. That's +20% higher than the citywide median of $4,501 and +115% above the national 4+ bedroom median of $2,522.
Income needed for a 4+ 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 4+ 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 4+ bedroom in California
| # | City | 4+ Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ridgecrest | $1,879 |
| 2 | Taft | $1,930 |
| 3 | Lakeport | $1,980 |
| 4 | Barstow | $1,991 |
| 5 | California City | $2,070 |
| 6 | Florin | $2,076 |
| 7 | Clearlake | $2,100 |
| 8 | Maywood | $2,169 |
| 9 | Porterville | $2,210 |
| 10 | Oroville | $2,215 |
| 11 | El Centro | $2,220 |
| 12 | Paradise | $2,230 |
| 13 | Red Bluff | $2,230 |
| 14 | La Riviera | $2,250 |
| 15 | Eureka | $2,280 |
Most expensive cities for a 4+ bedroom in California
| # | City | 4+ Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coronado | $6,970 |
| 2 | Solana Beach | $6,500 |
| 3 | Santa Cruz | $6,455 |
| 4 | Cupertino | $6,370 |
| 5 | Scotts Valley | $6,270 |
| 6 | Ladera Ranch | $6,270 |
| 7 | Aptos | $6,270 |
| 8 | Newport Beach | $6,188 |
| 9 | Foster City | $6,050 |
| 10 | Irvine | $5,986 |
| 11 | Carlsbad | $5,908 |
| 12 | Los Altos | $5,850 |
| 13 | Encinitas | $5,820 |
| 14 | Laguna Beach | $5,770 |
| 15 | Chula Vista | $5,738 |
Nearby cities — 4+ bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 4+ bedroom rents than Palo Alto.
| City | Distance | 4+ Bedroom rent | vs Palo Alto |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Palo Alto, CA | 2.6 mi | $4,090 | $-1,330 (-25%) |
| Menlo Park, CA | 3.1 mi | $4,960 | $-460 (-8%) |
| Mountain View, CA | 5 mi | $5,413 | $-7 (0%) |
| Los Altos, CA | 5 mi | $5,850 | +$430 (+8%) |
| Redwood City, CA | 7.5 mi | $4,960 | $-460 (-8%) |
| Sunnyvale, CA | 8.7 mi | $5,633 | +$213 (+4%) |
| Newark, CA | 9 mi | $4,200 | $-1,220 (-23%) |
| Cupertino, CA | 9.5 mi | $6,370 | +$950 (+18%) |
| San Carlos, CA | 10.2 mi | $4,710 | $-710 (-13%) |
| Foster City, CA | 12.4 mi | $6,050 | +$630 (+12%) |
| Belmont, CA | 12.4 mi | $4,890 | $-530 (-10%) |
| Fremont, CA | 12.8 mi | $5,110 | $-310 (-6%) |
4+ Bedroom rent in Palo Alto — common questions
How much is a 4+ bedroom apartment in Palo Alto?
As of August 2026, the median 4+ bedroom apartment rent in Palo Alto, California is $5,420 per month. This is +20% higher than the citywide median of $4,501.
What income do you need to afford a 4+ bedroom in Palo Alto?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $216,800 ($18,067/month gross), which works out to roughly $104.23/hour at a full-time job.
Is Palo Alto expensive for a 4+ bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Palo Alto's 4+ bedroom median of $5,420 is +115% above the national 4+ bedroom median of $2,522. It ranks in the 99th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Palo Alto rank for 4+ bedroom rent in California?
Among the 379 cities in California with 4+ bedroom data, Palo Alto ranks #341 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 4+ bedroom options near Palo Alto?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 4+ bedroom rents include East Palo Alto ($4,090), Menlo Park ($4,960), Mountain View ($5,413).