Living in Alto, California
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Alto · Census data 2020–2024
Alto has 1,024 residents with a median age of 42.3. The median household income is $129,191 (30% higher than the California median).
Alto is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Alto at a glance
- Population
- 1,024
- Median age
- 42.3State: 37.9
- Median household income
- $129,191State: $99,122
- Homeowners
- 47%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 67.1%
- Average commute
- 14 min
Is Alto a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income 30% higher than the California median; an average commute of 14 minutes; unemployment of 3.9%.
Cons: A poverty rate of 26%.
The weather is best in June–July and September–October.
Alto median household income
The median household income in Alto is $129,191 and the income per person is $76,676. 26% of residents live below the poverty line (California: 12%).
Housing in Alto: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 463
- Owner-occupied
- 47%
- Renter-occupied
- 53%
- Vacant
- 2.6%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1952
- Average household size
- 2.27
Alto demographics
- Population
- 1,024
- Median age
- 42.3
- Under 18
- 24.3%
- 65 and older
- 9.8%
- Households
- 451
- Foreign-born
- 10.8%
- Veterans
- 1.7%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Alto ›
Education in Alto
67.1% of adults 25 and older in Alto have a bachelor's degree or higher (California: 37.1%), and 37.3% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Alto
- Unemployment rate
- 3.9%State: 6.6%
- Average commute
- 14 minState: 29 min
- Work from home
- 17.2%
- Drive alone
- 82.8%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 0%
- Homes with broadband
- 97.3%
Alto vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alto | 1,024 | $129,191 | — | — |
| Strawberry | 5,830 | $157,661 | $2,000,001 | $2,958 |
| Mill Valley | 14,012 | $206,212 | $2,000,001 | $3,278 |
| Corte Madera | 10,077 | $232,763 | $1,755,200 | $3,501 |
| Tamalpais-Homestead Valley | 12,085 | $243,227 | $1,863,900 | $3,501 |
| Marin City | 3,195 | $68,846 | $1,142,700 | $1,335 |
| Larkspur | 12,854 | $140,417 | $1,996,600 | $3,001 |
| Kentfield | 6,900 | $249,896 | $2,000,001 | $2,741 |
| Belvedere | 2,345 | $250,001 | $2,000,001 | $3,501 |
More for people moving to Alto
Alto ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Alto: FAQ
What is the median household income in Alto, CA?
The median household income in Alto is $129,191, 30% higher than the California median of $99,122 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
Is Alto, CA a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income 30% higher than the California median; an average commute of 14 minutes; unemployment of 3.9%. Minuses: a poverty rate of 26%.
What is the median age in Alto?
The median age in Alto is 42.3 years (California: 37.9).
How long is the commute in Alto?
The average commute to work in Alto is 14 minutes; 17.2% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Alto?
The unemployment rate in Alto is 3.9% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Alto?
67.1% of adults in Alto have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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