Apartments for Rent in Palo Alto, CA
1 rental home available
Palo Alto anchors the northern end of Silicon Valley, sitting directly against Stanford University on the San Francisco Peninsula. The city grew up alongside the university and, later, the postwar electronics industry that took root in its garages and research parks — the garage where Bill Hewlett and David Packard founded HP in 1939, at 367 Addison Avenue, is preserved today as a California Historical Landmark and widely credited as the birthplace of Silicon Valley. Palo Alto today combines that tech-industry gravity with tree-lined residential streets, a walkable downtown along University Avenue, and one of California's top-rated public school districts, making it one of the most competitive — and expensive — rental markets on the Peninsula.
Available Rentals in Palo Alto, CA
Search all rentals in Palo Alto →View SPACIOUS 1 BED/ 1 BATH APARTMENT IN DOWNTOWN PALO ALTO — $2,500/mo in Palo Alto, CA
$2,500/mo
ApartmentWhy you'll like it
Pets allowed with a pool on site — most pet-friendly rentals don't also have a pool, so this combination is hard to find.
380-390 Everett Avenue 5RPalo Alto, CA
Stanford University
Palo Alto sits directly against Stanford's campus, and Stanford-owned land inside the city — including Stanford Shopping Center and Stanford Research Park — is woven into daily life here, even though Stanford's main campus itself is the separate unincorporated community of Stanford in Santa Clara County.
Schools
Palo Alto Unified School District is consistently ranked among the top public school districts in California, with Palo Alto High School and Henry M. Gunn High School both earning top marks.
Tech Economy
Broadcom relocated its global headquarters to Palo Alto's Stanford Research Park after acquiring VMware in 2023, joining a long line of companies drawn to the research park adjacent to Stanford.
Transit
Palo Alto's Caltrain station sits on University Avenue downtown and runs the length of the Peninsula corridor, connecting directly to both San Francisco and San Jose.
History
The one-car garage where Bill Hewlett and David Packard founded HP in 1939, at 367 Addison Avenue, is a California Historical Landmark widely regarded as the birthplace of Silicon Valley.
Neighborhoods in Palo Alto
- Downtown North
- Old Palo Alto
- Professorville
- Barron Park
- College Terrace
- Midtown
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Renter Tips for Palo Alto
Palo Alto commands some of the highest rents on the Peninsula, driven by its proximity to Stanford and the tech employers clustered in Stanford Research Park — major rental listing sites put 2026 1-bedroom averages in the roughly $2,850–$3,200/month range. Downtown North and Professorville put you within walking distance of University Avenue's restaurants and Caltrain; Barron Park and Midtown tend to be quieter and more residential, with a short drive or bike ride into downtown. Palo Alto's long-standing 50-foot, four-story citywide height limit (now being relaxed for some housing projects under state law) has kept new apartment supply scarce relative to demand, so move fast on units that fit your budget.
Rental Market in Palo Alto, CA
There is currently 1 rental home listed in Palo Alto, CA — browse it above. We need a few more listings here before showing a reliable market average.
Why landlords list rentals in Palo Alto on Emlakie
Landlords in Palo Alto, CA post their vacancy free and keep 100% of the rent — no commission or listing fee from EMLAKIE, ever. Your listing joins the 1 other rental home already live here, with AI-assisted descriptions and reaches renters searching Palo Alto directly. Covers Downtown North, Old Palo Alto, Professorville and more. Applicants message you directly through EMLAKIE — no call center, no middleman fee added by EMLAKIE.
List your Palo Alto rental freeHow renters find rentals in Palo Alto
Renters browse the 1 home in Palo Alto, CA above, filtering by price, bedrooms, and property type. No broker markup, so you contact the landlord directly to ask questions, tour, or apply — usually the same day.
Search Palo Alto rentalsFrequently Asked Questions
Is Stanford University in Palo Alto?
Not exactly — Stanford's main campus sits in the unincorporated community of Stanford, just west of Palo Alto in Santa Clara County. But major Stanford-affiliated properties, including Stanford Shopping Center and Stanford Research Park, are officially within Palo Alto city limits, and the two are inseparable day to day.
What is the average rent in Palo Alto?
Palo Alto 1-bedroom apartments average roughly $2,850–$3,200/month in 2026 according to major rental listing sites — among the highest rents on the Peninsula, driven by proximity to Stanford and the tech employers concentrated in Stanford Research Park.
Can I commute to San Francisco or San Jose from Palo Alto without a car?
Yes — Palo Alto's Caltrain station sits right on University Avenue downtown and runs the length of the Peninsula corridor, connecting directly to both San Francisco and San Jose.
How many rentals are available in Palo Alto, CA, and what's the average rent?
There is currently 1 rental home listed in Palo Alto, CA on EMLAKIE. Check back soon — a reliable market average needs a few more listings here.
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