Home ValuePros
Talk to a Pro

Market Intelligence · CA / Santa Clara County

Palo Alto, CA home prices and housing market

4 ZIP markets liveData updated September 2026Typical value$3.28M1-yr changeUp4.6%

The typical home value in Palo Alto, CA is $3.28M as of September 2026, up 4.6% from a year ago, based on the Zillow Home Value Index. In the typical Palo Alto ZIP code, the median list price is $2.69M and homes spend a median of 28 days on market as of September 2026 (Realtor.com).

The Home Value Pros Report

Palo Alto housing market, on video

Key takeaways

  • The story in Palo Alto right now is a market that is holding firm and moving fast.
  • The typical home is worth about $3.3 million, up roughly 3 percent over the past year, so values are still climbing even at this price point.
  • Only about 8 percent of listings have taken a price cut, which means most sellers are getting close to what they ask.
Updated June 2026All city reports →
Read the transcript

The story in Palo Alto right now is a market that is holding firm and moving fast. The typical home is worth about $3.3 million, up roughly 3 percent over the past year, so values are still climbing even at this price point. What tells you sellers have the upper hand is how little discounting is happening. Only about 8 percent of listings have taken a price cut, which means most sellers are getting close to what they ask. Homes are selling in around 34 days, a quick pace for this range. Supply stays thin, with about 94 homes for sale and roughly 62 new listings added this month, so buyers do not have much to choose from. If you own here and you are thinking about selling, the conditions favor you. Price it in line with the market and you should see steady interest. The bigger risk is overreaching, since even in a tight market buyers here will pass on a home that is clearly stretched.

Get a cash offer

Sell without the wait

Sell your Palo Alto home for cash.

A competitive, no-obligation cash offer from our institutional network. No repairs, no showings, close on your timeline. Most sellers get their cash offer within 24 hours.

Not sure cash is the right move? Discuss your options with a licensed local pro, free.

12-month value trend

+4.6% over 12 months

Typical home value in Palo Alto over the last 12 months: $3.14M in Sep 2025 to $3.28M in Sep 2026 (+4.6%).

Sep 2025$3.14M

Sep 2026$3.28M

Median Zillow home value index across Palo Alto's ZIP codes.

The coverage

Palo Alto, by the numbers.

Typical home valueZillow ZHVI, September 2026
$3.28M
1-yr changeMedian across Palo Alto ZIPs
+4.6%
ZIP markets live6 tracked in Palo Alto
4
County
Santa Clara County

Need cash home buyers on your timeline? Sell my house fast in Palo Alto.

Context

Palo Alto's housing market remains expensive and active. The typical home value is $3,281,081, up 4.6% over the past year as of September 2026. There were 90 homes for sale in September 2026, with 74 new listings coming on the market that month. Homes are moving at a steady pace, with a median of 28 days on market. The median list price sits at $2,686,250, and only 5.5% of listings had a price cut, which suggests most sellers are pricing close to what buyers will pay. For a homeowner weighing a sale, the citywide figures point to a market where well-priced homes still find buyers.

The numbers

What is the housing market like in Palo Alto, CA?

Typical home value

$3.28M

Up4.6%YoY

Median list price

$2.69M

Days on market

28

Homes for sale

90

Price cuts

5.5%

New listings

74

Sources · Zillow ZHVI (September 2026) / Realtor.com (September 2026)

Figures reflect Palo Alto's ZIP codes with market data: values and listing medians take the median across ZIPs; inventory and new listings are summed.

Prices over time

Palo Alto, CA home prices over time

Typical home values in Palo Alto, CA are up 4.6% over the past year, from $3.14M in September 2025 to $3.28M in September 2026.

Typical home value in Palo Alto, CA, September of each year
MonthTypical value1-yr change
September 2026$3,281,081+4.6%
September 2025$3,137,030No prior year

Typical value is the median Zillow Home Value Index across Palo Alto ZIP codes, taken in September of each year so every row compares the same month.

Market balance

Is Palo Alto, CA a buyer's or seller's market?

Palo Alto, CA leans toward a seller's market.

Homes are selling quickly, relatively few listings have cut their asking price, and homes for sale are scarce relative to new listings, which usually gives sellers the stronger position.

Based on a median of 28 days on market and 6% of listings with a price cut in the typical Palo Alto ZIP code, and 74 new listings against 90 active listings across Palo Alto, as of September 2026 (Realtor.com).

The outlook

Palo Alto housing market forecast 2027

+2.1%

Weighted average of Zillow's ZIP forecasts, 12 months to September 2027

A weighted average of Zillow's ZIP forecasts, across 4 Palo Alto ZIP codes, points to typical home values rising 2.1% by September 2027.

Over the 12 months through September 2026, typical home values in Palo Alto rose 4.6%, per the Zillow Home Value Index.

Will home prices drop in Palo Alto?

The forecasts do not call for a drop: a weighted average of Zillow's ZIP forecasts for Palo Alto shows typical home values rising 2.1% by September 2027, after a 4.6% rise over the past 12 months. Forecasts are not guarantees: mortgage rates, inventory, and the wider economy can move values either way.

How this is calculated: each ZIP code's 12-month Zillow forecast is weighted by its typical home value (Zillow Home Value Index, September 2026). 4 Palo Alto ZIP codes have both figures.

Forecast: a weighted average of Zillow's ZIP forecasts (Zillow Home Value Forecast, published October 2026), calculated by Home Value Pros. A forecast, not a guarantee.

Free home value report

See what your Palo Alto home is worth.

See your estimated value and a real cash offer, side by side. No obligation, about a minute.

Live markets

What ZIP codes are live in Palo Alto?

Typical value is the Zillow home value index (ZHVI) for each ZIP, as of September 2026. 1-yr change compares it to the same ZIP a year earlier. We track 6 Palo Alto ZIP codes in total; the remaining 2 publish as their data clears editorial QA.

Zillow ZHVI, September 2026

Free local consultation

Talk to a licensed pro in Palo Alto.

A licensed local professional will walk through your numbers and your selling options, free and with no obligation.

Prefer to start online? See your value and cash offer instead.

Common questions

Questions about Palo Alto, CA home prices.

How much is a home in Palo Alto worth?

The typical Palo Alto home value is $3,281,081 as of September 2026, up 4.6% over the past year. Keep in mind this is a citywide figure, and individual homes vary by neighborhood, size, and condition.

How fast are homes selling in Palo Alto?

Homes in Palo Alto spent a median of 28 days on market as of September 2026. With 74 new listings and 90 homes for sale that month, buyers had options but homes still moved within about a month.

Are Palo Alto sellers cutting their prices?

Only 5.5% of Palo Alto listings had a price cut as of September 2026. With a median list price of $2,686,250, most sellers appear to be pricing realistically from the start.

Are home prices going up or down in Palo Alto, CA?

Typical home values in Palo Alto, CA are up 4.6% over the past year, based on the Zillow Home Value Index as of September 2026.

Is Palo Alto, CA a buyer's or seller's market?

Palo Alto, CA leans toward a seller's market. Homes are selling quickly, relatively few listings have cut their asking price, and homes for sale are scarce relative to new listings, which usually gives sellers the stronger position. Based on a median of 28 days on market and 6% of listings with a price cut in the typical Palo Alto ZIP code, and 74 new listings against 90 active listings across Palo Alto, as of September 2026 (Realtor.com).

How long do homes take to sell in Palo Alto, CA?

In the typical Palo Alto ZIP code, homes spend a median of 28 days on market as of September 2026, based on Realtor.com listing data. Pricing and condition decide how fast any one home sells, so treat the median as a benchmark rather than a promise.

Nearby markets

More California housing markets.

The market is moving

Latest housing news

All news