149 movers in Palo Alto
West Coast Moving Company
"This Company is horrible and dishonest. Third and last quote was given to me after everything was loaded in the truck en route to Fl.. I was asked to tip workers $300. My furniture arrived late and the boxes were in bad conditions and opened. My f..."
Birch Circle Moving
"I used Birch Circle Movers to move over six years ago. At that time, the owner was professional and his crew was excellent. I paid someone from his team to pack my kitchen and moved the next day. Unfortunately, my move on October 14th didn't nearl..."
Wrapid-Up Moving
"Hired [NAME EDIT] and his "company", Wrapid Up Moving and they destroyed so many of my belongings and lied to my face about it. They didn't bring enough packing materials and Angel took long breaks to "get materials" but he was just getting fast f..."
Hollister Moving and Storage
"I contracted with Hollister Moving and Storage to move me from Hollister to Wyoming. Though they ([NAME EDIT]) promised to 'take care' of me, it was absolutely my worst nightmare! They damaged or 'lost' everything that I own(ed). They now refuse t..."
EHM Moving
"If I could rate them less than one I would. Worst experience ever tried to change quote even after confirmation text. When I copied text their quote back to them then I received a ranting maniac cursing and threatening me telling he had my inform..."
Father and Son Movers
"Dealing with this company was a terrible experience. The mover did not complete the move. Instead, part way through, he said he had another job to do and would return in a day and a half. When he returned (later than promised), he insisted I pay h..."
Preferred Movers
"Worst experience ever! We hired them trying to support local a family business, which are also more affordable; however, this time was a very costly decision for us, not only in terms of money, but also in terms of time, effort and stress. Sinc..."
Muscles for Moving
"Hi. Muscles for moving stole all my stuff. I contacted BBB. And they did nothing. I had things over 30 years and some where when I was a kid. My mother was there paid them my money. TI them. Someone said it be nice to tip there. The owner lie abou..."
California Moving Systems
"I seriously suspect the ratings I see for California Moving Systems on various sites as my extremely poor customer service experience was not an anomaly. We used CMS to complete a move from California to Florida and we couldn't have received worst..."
House To Home Moving
"I only review when a business provides me with an exceptional experience that I take the time to review them. Unfortunately this time I am writing a review for on ongoing exceptionally negative experience. A little background on how and why w..."
Fuller Moving Service
"Beware!!!! I would seriously caution anyone on using this company for their moving needs because They engage in very unethical business practices such as the following: 1. We were quoted an estimated price for our belongings that was much heavier ..."
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.
