A+
224%
Income/capita NAT. AVG.
219%
Household income NAT. AVG.
55%
Unemployment NAT. AVG.
IndexPalo AltoCaliforniaNational
Income per capita$145,617$45,980$44,883
Median household income$259,617$95,535$81,333
Median income owner occupied$336,380$130,228$106,172
Median income renter occupied$191,818$64,137$52,080
Median earnings male$188,717$52,776$54,343
Median earnings female$102,092$38,938$38,439
Unemployment rate2.2%6.8%4.9%
Poverty level5.5%15.8%15.1%
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Key findings

  • The income per capita in Palo Alto is 224% higher than the national average
  • The median household income in Palo Alto is 219% higher than the national average
  • Male median earnings are 41% higher than female median earnings
  • The unemployment rate in Palo Alto is 55% lower than the national average
  • The poverty level in Palo Alto is 63% lower than the national average

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      am i middle class

      $
      Input your household income
      $173,060 $259,617 $519,234
      City
      $63,683 $95,535 $191,070
      State
      $54,216 $81,333 $162,666
      Nation
      According to the PEW research center, the middle class is defined as a range from two thirds (2/3) of the median household income to a multiple of two (2) times the median household income. Displayed above are the city, state and national median household income averages. Simply enter your median household income to determine if your income falls into the middle class or if your household income is considered upper or lower class.

      Palo Alto median earnings by income bracket

      Palo Alto employment by industry

      Labour TypeMaleFemale
      Construction industry1.9%1.9%
      Manufacturing sector15.4%15.4%
      Financial & insurance services3.3%3.3%
      Wholesale & retail services5.7%5.7%
      Public administration0.9%0.9%
      Transportation, warehousing & utilities1.5%1.5%
      Education, health & social services20.9%20.9%
      Other39.4%39.4%

      Nearby cities with high median household income

      City Population Household Income National Avg.
      Monte Sereno, CA3,621$379,530366.6%
      Atherton, CA7,303$377,485364.1%
      Loyola, CA3,526$376,752363.2%
      Hillsborough, CA11,923$376,687363.1%
      Woodside, CA5,786$374,998361.1%
      Palo Alto, CA70,212$259,617219.2%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Household Income National Avg.
      Yorba Linda, CA70,241$194,330138.9%
      Bossier City, LA70,171$70,82812.9%
      Eau Claire, WI70,119$88,6619.0%
      Palatine, IL70,310$123,79652.2%
      Norfolk County, ON70,339n/a 
      Palo Alto, CA70,212$259,617219.2%
      Source: The Palo Alto, CA employment data displayed above is derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.