Cost of Living in Palo Alto, CA
Cost indexes, living wages, and fair market rents — 2024 Data
Cost of Living Overview
Overall Index
286.4
100 = national avg
+186.4 vs national average
Living Wage (1 Adult)
$126,013
per year
Living Wage (Family of 4)
$297,850
per year
Cost Index by Category
Housing400.0
Food200.0
Transportation175.9
Healthcare194.8
Utilities200.0
100 = national average. Higher = more expensive.
Fair Market Rent
Source: HUD1 Bedroom
$2,982
per month
2 Bedroom
$3,483
per month
The overall cost of living index in Palo Alto is 286.4, which is 186.4% above the national average. Housing costs are above the national average at an index of 400.0. A single adult needs to earn approximately $126,013 per year to cover basic expenses.