Living in Los Altos, California
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Los Altos · Census data 2020–2024
Los Altos has 30,698 residents with a median age of 45.9. The median household income is $250,001 (152% higher than the California median), the median home value is $2,000,001, the median rent is $3,501/month.
Los Altos at a glance
- Population
- 30,698
- Median age
- 45.9State: 37.9
- Median household income
- $250,001State: $99,122
- Median home value
- $2,000,001State: $734,700
- Median rent
- $3,501/moState: $2,036
- Homeowners
- 81.7%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 88.1%
- Average commute
- 22 min
Is Los Altos a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income 152% higher than the California median; an average commute of 22 minutes; unemployment of 4.8%; a poverty rate of 3.2%.
Cons: Home values 172% higher than the state median.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Los Altos
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Los Altos the median home value is $2,000,001, 501% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $3,501 per month, which is 25.7% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $4,001 a month in housing costs.
Los Altos median household income
The median household income in Los Altos is $250,001 and the income per person is $149,247. 3.2% of residents live below the poverty line (California: 12%).
Housing in Los Altos: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 11,781
- Owner-occupied
- 81.7%
- Renter-occupied
- 18.3%
- Vacant
- 8%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1964
- Average household size
- 2.81
Los Altos demographics
- Population
- 30,698
- Median age
- 45.9
- Under 18
- 24.2%
- 65 and older
- 20.8%
- Households
- 10,840
- Foreign-born
- 35.5%
- Veterans
- 2.2%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Los Altos ›
Education in Los Altos
88.1% of adults 25 and older in Los Altos have a bachelor's degree or higher (California: 37.1%), and 55.7% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Los Altos
- Unemployment rate
- 4.8%State: 6.6%
- Average commute
- 22 minState: 29 min
- Work from home
- 39.4%
- Drive alone
- 50.7%
- Public transit
- 0.7%
- Walk to work
- 1.9%
- Homes with broadband
- 98.6%
Los Altos vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Altos | 30,698 | $250,001 | $2,000,001 | $3,501 |
| Loyola | 3,430 | $250,001 | $2,000,001 | $3,501 |
| Los Altos Hills | 8,377 | $250,001 | $2,000,001 | $3,501 |
| Mountain View | 83,732 | $189,917 | $1,927,000 | $3,062 |
| Palo Alto | 67,237 | $231,101 | $2,000,001 | $3,484 |
| Sunnyvale | 154,236 | $186,170 | $1,801,800 | $3,039 |
| Cupertino | 58,566 | $234,707 | $2,000,001 | $3,501 |
| Stanford | 18,662 | $75,208 | $2,000,001 | $1,976 |
| Ladera | 1,297 | $235,750 | $2,000,001 | — |
More for people moving to Los Altos
Los Altos ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Los Altos: FAQ
What is the median household income in Los Altos, CA?
The median household income in Los Altos is $250,001, 152% higher than the California median of $99,122 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Los Altos?
The median home value in Los Altos is $2,000,001, compared with $734,700 in California.
How much is rent in Los Altos?
The median gross rent in Los Altos is $3,501 per month, about 25.7% of household income.
Is Los Altos, CA a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income 152% higher than the California median; an average commute of 22 minutes; unemployment of 4.8%; a poverty rate of 3.2%. Minuses: home values 172% higher than the state median.
What is the median age in Los Altos?
The median age in Los Altos is 45.9 years (California: 37.9).
How long is the commute in Los Altos?
The average commute to work in Los Altos is 22 minutes; 39.4% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Los Altos?
The unemployment rate in Los Altos is 4.8% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Los Altos?
88.1% of adults in Los Altos 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.
Last updated: