Neighborhood

Midtown Palo Alto, Palo Alto, CA

Neighborhood RatingNeighborhood RatingNeighborhood RatingNeighborhood RatingNeighborhood Rating
4.4 /5

Neighborhood Factors

Market Conditions

  • Neighborhood Factors
    Price
    $3.83M
  • Neighborhood Factors
    Undervalued
    $13k
  • Neighborhood Factors
    Appreciation
    -3%

At a glance

Midtown Palo Alto is ranked #11 of 27 neighborhoods in Palo Alto with an overall score of 4.4/5. Its standout factors are schools (5.0/5, 7th of 27 in Palo Alto) and safety (4.3/5), at a median home price of $3.83M, which Houseberry currently rates as undervalued by about $13,000. The trade-off is nearby merchants (3.0/5), though prices run about 14% below the Palo Alto median.

Neighborhood Reviews & Questions

Neighborhood Review
Key Words: Vibrant Retail, Tree-lined Streets, Balanced Lifestyle

When you step into Midtown Palo Alto, you'll instantly sense the neighborhood's dual persona: It's both a residential haven and a microcosm of Palo Alto's tech-driven vitality. This place really knows how to balance its yin and yang. When you walk through the streets of Midtown, one thing becomes apparent: no two homes look alike. You'll find a mish-mash of architectural styles from different decades, lending the neighborhood a unique, eclectic feel compared to some of Palo Alto's more uniform areas. Though there's a range in style and era, a common thread is the pride residents take in their landscaping, offering bursts of color and greenery as you stroll down the streets. Midtown stands out for its community-led environmental programs. Think neighborhood composting initiatives and community-supported agriculture pick-up points. The commitment to sustainability here isn't just municipal; it's personal. The schools in the area are more than noteworthy, especially the acclaimed Ohlone Elementary, which attracts families from various parts of the city for its project-based learning approach. While Midtown has a lot going for it, it's worth mentioning that it can feel bustling at times, especially during peak hours. The shopping areas and main roads can get crowded, and finding parking can sometimes be a game of luck. All in all, Midtown Palo Alto delivers a balanced lifestyle, coupling the perks of urban amenities with a genuine neighborhood feel. Whether you're a young tech professional looking for convenience or a family seeking excellent schools and parks, Midtown seems to say, "Yes, you can have it all."

See City Review for: Palo Alto

Top Neighborhoods in Palo Alto, CA

1st
Neighborhood Iamge
Duveneck - St. Francis, Palo Alto, CA
Overall Score : 4.8
Duveneck - St. Francis is a family-oriented enclave where tree-lined streets ser... See Full Page
2nd
Neighborhood Iamge
Greenmeadow, Palo Alto, CA
Overall Score : 4.8
Greenmeadow in Palo Alto is an exceptional example of what a planned community c... See Full Page
3rd
Neighborhood Iamge
Leland Manor - Embarcadero Oaks - Garland Drive, Palo Alto, CA
Overall Score : 4.7
Leland Manor stands out for its strong family orientation. The neighborhood is h... See Full Page

Neighborhood Amenities

  • Neighborhood Amenities
    Near good merchants

    3.0

  • Neighborhood Amenities
    Public Spaces

    3.5

  • Neighborhood Amenities
    Curb Appeal

    3.5

Overall Amenities score: 3.4

Neighborhood Weather

79%
of possible sunshine
Of all the daylight this spot gets in a year, 79% arrives as sunshine - clouds and fog block the rest.
Midtown Palo Alto ranks 21st of 27 for sunshine in Palo Alto, though it still out-suns about half of the Bay Area. Its warmest month is August, averaging 79° highs, and it gets about 16 inches of rain a year.
Average daily high and low temperature
80°65°50°35°JFMAMJJASONDAug 79°
Avg highAvg low
Rank in Palo Alto
21st of 27
Across the Bay Area
49th percentile
Rain per year
16 in
Warmest month
Aug 79° avg high
Summer day
56° → 78°F
Winter day
43° → 59°F
Sunshine and temperature figures are 30-year climate averages for this neighborhood's location.

Neighborhood Photos

Schools serving this Neighborhood

School NameTypeGradesHouseberry School Score
El Carmelo Elementary PrimaryK-5
Palo Verde Elementary PrimaryK-5
Jane Lathrop Stanford Middle Middle6-8
Henry M. Gunn High High9-12
Palo Alto High High9-12

Click links for school listing

info at GreatSchools.org

Houseberry School Score Data

from CA Dept. of Education

Houseberry recommends using these scores as only a starting point, and conducting your own investigation into what schools fit best for your preferences. School boundaries are not guaranteed and may change. It is important to contact the appropriate school district to confirm enrollment eligibility before making any decision to move to a neighborhood.

Median Price

Midtown Palo Alto FAQs10 answers

Is Midtown Palo Alto a good place to live?

Midtown Palo Alto ranks 11th of 27 neighborhoods in Palo Alto with an overall Houseberry score of 4.4 out of 5. Its strongest factors are schools (5.0/5) and safety (4.3/5). The trade-off is nearby merchants (3.0/5).

Is Midtown Palo Alto safe?

Midtown Palo Alto, Palo Alto scores 4.3 out of 5 on Houseberry's Safety Score, ranking 11th of 27 neighborhoods in Palo Alto.

What do homes in Midtown Palo Alto cost?

The median home price in Midtown Palo Alto, Palo Alto is $3.83M, compared with $4.44M for Palo Alto as a whole. Houseberry currently rates it undervalued by about $13,000 against comparable neighborhoods.

Are home prices in Midtown Palo Alto rising or falling?

The median home price in Midtown Palo Alto, Palo Alto is up about 14.6% over the past 12 months, from $3.35M to $3.83M. The full 12-month history is charted in the Median Price section on this page.

Which schools serve Midtown Palo Alto?

Schools serving Midtown Palo Alto, Palo Alto include El Carmelo Elementary (4.8/5), Palo Verde Elementary (5.0/5), Jane Lathrop Stanford Middle (5.0/5), Henry M. Gunn High (5.0/5) and Palo Alto High (5.0/5).

What is the weather like in Midtown Palo Alto?

Midtown Palo Alto, Palo Alto receives 79% of its possible sunshine, 21st of 27 in Palo Alto. Summer days run 56° to 78°F and winter days 43° to 59°F, August is the warmest month and rainfall averages about 16 inches a year.

Is Midtown Palo Alto walkable to shops and restaurants?

Midtown Palo Alto, Palo Alto scores 3.0 out of 5 for nearby merchants and 3.5 out of 5 for public spaces. Its overall amenities score is 3.4 out of 5, 21st of 27 in Palo Alto.

What is Midtown Palo Alto known for?

Midtown Palo Alto, Palo Alto is associated with Vibrant Retail, Tree-lined Streets and Balanced Lifestyle. Its highest-scoring factors are schools (5.0/5) and safety (4.3/5).

How does Midtown Palo Alto compare to other Palo Alto neighborhoods?

Midtown Palo Alto ranks 11th of 27 neighborhoods in Palo Alto. It ranks 7th of 27 in Palo Alto for schools (5.0/5) and scores lowest on nearby merchants (3.0/5). The highest-ranked neighborhoods in Palo Alto are Duveneck - St. Francis and Greenmeadow.

What are the downsides of living in Midtown Palo Alto?

Midtown Palo Alto, Palo Alto scores lowest on nearby merchants (3.0/5).

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Neighborhood Photos

Top Neighborhoods in Palo Alto, CA

1st
Neighborhood Iamge
Duveneck - St. Francis, Palo Alto, CA
Overall Score : 4.8
Duveneck - St. Francis is a family-oriented enclave where tree-lined streets ser... See Full Page
2nd
Neighborhood Iamge
Greenmeadow, Palo Alto, CA
Overall Score : 4.8
Greenmeadow in Palo Alto is an exceptional example of what a planned community c... See Full Page
3rd
Neighborhood Iamge
Leland Manor - Embarcadero Oaks - Garland Drive, Palo Alto, CA
Overall Score : 4.7
Leland Manor stands out for its strong family orientation. The neighborhood is h... See Full Page

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Contact Houseberry's 2026 Agent Pick for Midtown Palo Alto
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