Living in Stanford, California
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Stanford · Census data 2020–2024
Stanford has 18,662 residents with a median age of 22. The median household income is $75,208 (24% lower than the California median), the median home value is $2,000,001, the median rent is $1,976/month.
Stanford at a glance
- Population
- 18,662
- Median age
- 22State: 37.9
- Median household income
- $75,208State: $99,122
- Median home value
- $2,000,001State: $734,700
- Median rent
- $1,976/moState: $2,036
- Homeowners
- 26.8%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 92.3%
- Average commute
- 15 min
Is Stanford a good place to live?
Pros: An average commute of 15 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 24% lower than the California median; home values 172% higher than the state median; unemployment of 8.1%; a poverty rate of 15.9%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Stanford
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Stanford the median home value is $2,000,001, 501% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,976 per month, which is 42.5% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $4,001 a month in housing costs.
Stanford median household income
The median household income in Stanford is $75,208 and the income per person is $42,106. 15.9% of residents live below the poverty line (California: 12%).
Housing in Stanford: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 4,186
- Owner-occupied
- 26.8%
- Renter-occupied
- 73.2%
- Vacant
- 18.1%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1982
- Average household size
- 1.91
Stanford demographics
- Population
- 18,662
- Median age
- 22
- Under 18
- 5%
- 65 and older
- 3.7%
- Households
- 3,428
- Foreign-born
- 26.1%
- Veterans
- 0.6%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Stanford ›
Education in Stanford
92.3% of adults 25 and older in Stanford have a bachelor's degree or higher (California: 37.1%), and 57.8% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Stanford
- Unemployment rate
- 8.1%State: 6.6%
- Average commute
- 15 minState: 29 min
- Work from home
- 20.9%
- Drive alone
- 13.9%
- Public transit
- 2.7%
- Walk to work
- 23.9%
- Homes with broadband
- 63.6%
Stanford vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stanford | 18,662 | $75,208 | $2,000,001 | $1,976 |
| West Menlo Park | 3,634 | $250,001 | $2,000,001 | $3,324 |
| Palo Alto | 67,237 | $231,101 | $2,000,001 | $3,484 |
| Ladera | 1,297 | $235,750 | $2,000,001 | — |
| Atherton | 6,993 | $250,001 | $2,000,001 | $3,501 |
| East Palo Alto | 29,069 | $113,493 | $1,102,600 | $2,244 |
| Menlo Park | 32,727 | $210,025 | $2,000,001 | $3,239 |
| North Fair Oaks | 13,100 | $104,884 | $1,276,900 | $2,314 |
| Los Altos Hills | 8,377 | $250,001 | $2,000,001 | $3,501 |
More for people moving to Stanford
Stanford ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Stanford: FAQ
What is the median household income in Stanford, CA?
The median household income in Stanford is $75,208, 24% lower 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 Stanford?
The median home value in Stanford is $2,000,001, compared with $734,700 in California.
How much is rent in Stanford?
The median gross rent in Stanford is $1,976 per month, about 42.5% of household income.
Is Stanford, CA a good place to live?
Pluses: an average commute of 15 minutes. Minuses: median household income 24% lower than the California median; home values 172% higher than the state median; unemployment of 8.1%; a poverty rate of 15.9%.
What is the median age in Stanford?
The median age in Stanford is 22 years (California: 37.9).
How long is the commute in Stanford?
The average commute to work in Stanford is 15 minutes; 20.9% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Stanford?
The unemployment rate in Stanford is 8.1% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Stanford?
92.3% of adults in Stanford 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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