Everything You Should Know Before Moving to East Palo Alto, CA
Considering a move to East Palo Alto, CA? Home to around 29,000 residents, this diverse, vibrant city offers mild weather with over 70% sunny days, but carries a high cost of living—median home prices top $1M and average rents are about $3,050. Commute times average nearly 29 minutes, with solid access to public transit. While crime rates are above the national average, you'll find proximity to world-class healthcare, nearby universities like Stanford, and a tight-knit multicultural community. Explore more below to see if East Palo Alto fits your lifestyle and needs.
Demographics - East Palo Alto, CA
Demographics - East Palo Alto, CA
East Palo Alto is a vibrant city of about 29,000 residents, known for its youthful median age of 32.8 and a diverse multicultural community, with over half of the population speaking a language other than English at home. The city is characterized by a dense urban environment and a balanced gender ratio, contributing to a lively and inclusive atmosphere.
Population:
29,143
Density:
8,800 per sq mi
Median Age:
32.8
Gender Ratio:
103 males per 100 females
Non-English Speakers Percentage:
57.2%
Ethnic Composition
White:
9.6%
Black:
13.7%
Asian:
3.8%
Others:
72.9%
Cost Of Living
What is the average cost of living in East Palo Alto, CA?
Living in East Palo Alto comes with a high price tag, as the median home value is over $1 million and average rents approach $3,050 per month. The cost of living index is well above the national average, particularly driven by housing, making it important for newcomers to budget carefully.
Median House Value:
$1,050,000
Gross Rent:
$3,050
Monthly Electricity Charges:
$120
Auto Insurance:
$2,120
House Owner Cost With Mortgage:
$3,950
House Owner Cost Without Mortgage:
$730
State Taxes:
Low:
1%
|
High:
13.3%
Cost Of Living Index:
177.2
Grocery:
122.3
Housing:
298.1
Utilities:
97.8
Transportation:
144.5
Health Care:
108.2
Miscellaneous:
128.1
Crime
Is East Palo Alto, CA a safe place to live?
East Palo Alto experiences higher-than-average crime rates, with a resident's chance of property crime at about 1 in 47 and violent crime at 1 in 192. While safety is a concern, strong community ties and local initiatives aim to improve neighborhood security.
Violent Crimes Per 100k:
521
Property Crimes Per 100k:
2,130
Crime Index:
2,651
Chance Of Violent Crime:
1 in 192
Chance Of Property Crime:
1 in 47
Weather
What is the weather like in East Palo Alto, CA year-round?
Residents enjoy a mild Mediterranean climate with around 71% sunny days each year and limited rainfall totaling about 16 inches annually. Seasonal temperatures are comfortable, rarely dipping below 39°F in winter or rising above 79°F in summer.
Winter
Min:
39°F
Max:
59°F
Spring
Min:
47°F
Max:
70°F
Summer
Min:
55°F
Max:
79°F
Fall
Min:
48°F
Max:
75°F
Average Rainfall Inches:
15.7 inches
Sunny Days Percentage:
71%
Neighbors
The community features a median household income of nearly $82,000 and a poverty rate of 13.6%, reflecting a mix of working-class and professional residents. Commute times average about 29 minutes, with a notable portion using public transportation for daily travel.
Median Income:
$40,300
Household Income:
$81,900
Family Income:
$86,700
Per Capita Income:
$27,540
Income Male:
$35,600
Income Female:
$31,700
Poverty Rate:
13.6%
Non English Speakers:
57.2%
Rent:
$3,050
Unemployment Rate:
5.7%
Public Transport Usage:
10.8%
Commute Time:
28.9 minutes
Education
High School or Higher:
67.1%
Bachelors or More:
16.7%
Education
How are the schools in East Palo Alto, CA?
East Palo Alto provides a range of educational options, including public and private schools with manageable student-teacher ratios, and is conveniently located near top colleges like Stanford University just 4 miles away. The community values educational achievement, supporting families with diverse schooling choices.
Public Schools
Name:
Costaño Elementary School
Street:
2695 Fordham St
Phone:
650-329-2820
Students:
410
Student Teacher Ratio:
19.2
Name:
Green Oaks Academy
Street:
2450 Ralmar Ave
Phone:
650-329-2800
Students:
320
Student Teacher Ratio:
17.5
Private Schools
Name:
Eastside College Preparatory School
Street:
1041 Myrtle St
Phone:
650-688-0850
Students:
350
Colleges
Name:
Stanford University
City:
Stanford
State:
CA
Distance:
4 miles
Students:
17,000
Name:
Menlo College
City:
Atherton
State:
CA
Distance:
5 miles
Students:
900
Healthcare
East Palo Alto benefits from proximity to leading medical centers such as Stanford Health Care and Kaiser Permanente, with 2.5 physicians per 1,000 residents and over 90% health insurance coverage. Access to emergency and specialized healthcare services is readily available.
Major Hospitals
Name:
Stanford Health Care
Address:
500 Pasteur Dr, Stanford, CA 94305
Phone:
(650) 723-4000
Type:
General & Surgical
Emergency Services:
Yes
Name:
Kaiser Permanente Redwood City Medical Center
Address:
1150 Veterans Blvd, Redwood City, CA 94063
Phone:
(650) 299-2000
Type:
General & Surgical
Emergency Services:
Yes
Physicians Per 1000:
2.5
Health Insurance Coverage:
90.1%
Health Care Index:
76.3
Housing Market
What is the housing market like in East Palo Alto, CA?
The local housing market is competitive, with a median home price of $1,050,000 and a homeownership rate of 41.2%. Rental vacancy is low at just under 5%, and recent home appreciation has been steady, making it a sought-after area for both buyers and renters.
Median Home Price:
$1,050,000
Average Rent For 2 Bedroom:
$3,050
Owner Occupied Rate:
41.2%
Rental Vacancy Rate:
4.8%
Home Appreciation Rate (1yr):
2.3%
New Construction Rate:
1.2%
Foreclosure Rate:
0.2%
DMV Information
Residents are served by the California Department of Motor Vehicles, offering a full range of licensing and registration services both online and in-person. The main office for statewide DMV services is located in Sacramento, with user-friendly online resources available.
State:
California
Department:
California Department of Motor Vehicles
Address:
2415 1st Ave, Sacramento, CA 95818
Phone:
1-800-777-0133
Website:
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is based on publicly available sources including AccuWeather, U.S. Census Bureau, local government data, and third-party partners such as Neustar. While we strive to ensure accuracy, all data is provided “as is” and should be independently verified before making any decisions. Movers.com makes no guarantees regarding the completeness or reliability of the information.