149 movers in Palo Alto
Gold Star Van Lines
"This moving company is awful. At first you call and everything is delightful and egar to help. The estimate was far below what I actually paid. When the movers show up, do NOT sign anything before you read EVERY word! They packed my vacuum in a a ..."
XO Moving System
"I signed contract with A+ company based on BBB, they told me they are the best in marked ,etc, they have handed off moving my stuff to XOMoving Company based in CA with out my authorization, it's been 2 months delay , somebody called me twice and ..."
Fixprice Moving
"I found this moving company on the Internet and despite some bad reviews I thought it is reasonable to give them a chance. I had to move my stuff from west to east coast so it was a big deal for me. They gave me a very reasonable quote including f..."
Cal Van Lines
"This was a long move and the first time I have ever moved this far and with a moving company. It was the worst experience I have experienced in my life. I would never, ever use this company again, as long as I live. I had to make a claim with Cal ..."
Mont-Rose Moving Systems Inc.
"I hired Mont-Rose/Mayflower to move me in state. For the most part the move went great. The problem came when I had damaged items and filed a claim. Everything was taken care of with no issues except my computer. It had been dropped on its corner ..."
My Move & Cross Country Movers
"My Move subcontracted to Dumbo moving which subsequently broke items and lost a large box of items including a car jack! Driver tried to shake us down for extra $."
AMS Bekins
"Avoid this moving company. They lost one of our boxes which happened to have very valuable items. The company takes no responsibility and has built a system to place all the blame on the customer. Upon digging further into their process, I learned..."
What to know when moving to Palo Alto, CA
Palo Alto at a Glance
- The Vibe:
- A highly educated ZIP where 83.3% hold a bachelor's degree and nearly half the residents rent.
- The Major Draw:
- The median household income of $235,529 reflects a prosperous community.
- The Reality Check:
- Median gross rent is $3,290, which is quite high for many budgets.
- Commute:
- Only 2.6% use public transit, so plan on a car.
- Top Tip:
- Budget for $3,290/mo rent to secure a place in this area.
The 'Vibe' Check: Who Thrives Here?
Palo Alto is characterized by its high educational attainment, with 83.3% of residents holding at least a bachelor's degree. The community has a balanced mix of renters and owners, with 48.4% of the population renting. The median household income sits at a substantial $235,529, reflecting the affluence of the area. With only 2.6% of residents commuting via public transit, it's clear that most residents rely on cars for travel.
Probably not your spot if you are looking for affordable housing, as the median gross rent is $3,290.
Your Money: Housing & Cost Snapshot
- The median gross rent is $3,290, indicating a high cost of living.
- The median owner-occupied home value is over $2 million, showing the premium nature of housing here.
- The community has a low poverty rate of 4.2%, reflecting economic stability.
- With a renter percentage of 48.4%, the area has a strong mix of rental properties.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Data Profiles.
Crime & Safety: What the Numbers Say
California's overall crime rates show a mixed picture, with property crime at 1,764 incidents per 100,000 residents, which is higher than the national average of 1,546.9. However, property crime has decreased by 26.1% since 2022.
- Violent crime rate stands at 415.5 per 100,000, significantly higher than the national rate of 325.3.
- Burglary rates are also concerning at 273 per 100,000, compared to the national average of 193.6.
- Homicides are relatively low at 3.2 per 100,000, down 44.9% since 2022.
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer (state-level summarized data for California).
Schools & Higher Ed
Palo Alto has access to a range of educational institutions, with 17 total postsecondary schools nearby. Notable options include Stanford University and Palo Alto University, providing excellent higher education opportunities in the region. Many schools are located within Santa Clara County, ensuring a robust academic environment.
- Palo Alto University
- Stanford University
- Sofia University
- Foothill College
- De Anza College
Source: ArcGIS Postsecondary School Locations (NCES) + College Scorecard (ED).
Weather & Getting Outside
Palo Alto experiences about 14.2 inches of precipitation annually, with 45 rainy days each year. The winter months account for a significant portion of this precipitation, averaging 8.3 inches across 24 days. The area is well-suited for outdoor activities, with numerous parks and nature preserves nearby.
- Computer History Museum - 4.7 stars (7,520 reviews)
- Filoli Historic House & World-Class Garden - 4.7 stars (6,413 reviews)
- Palo Alto Baylands Nature Preserve Trail - 4.7 stars (1,033 reviews)
- Foothills Nature Preserve - 4.6 stars (1,517 reviews)
Source: NOAA Climate Data Online, Google Places API.
Jobs & the Local Economy
The job market in Santa Clara County is robust, with an unemployment rate of 4.0% as of December 2025. The labor force consists of approximately 1,031,459 individuals, with 990,643 currently employed. This indicates a healthy local economy with ample job opportunities.
- Unemployment rate: 4.0%
- Employed: 990,643
- Labor force: 1,031,459
Source: BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics.
