Why Live in Downtown North
Downtown North in Palo Alto is a diverse neighborhood featuring a mix of older homes and newer properties along its tree-lined streets. Housing options range from midcentury-built condos near major avenues to early 20th-century Craftsman bungalows and contemporary homes with Mediterranean influences. The area is highly walkable, with narrow streets, crosswalks, and plant-filled roundabouts. Residents enjoy local amenities like Johnson Park, which offers basketball courts, playgrounds, and a community garden, and El Palo Alto Park, home to the historic "Tall Tree." For indoor activities, the Stanford Theatre showcases classic Hollywood films, and the Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo provides educational exhibits. Dining options abound, with eateries like Mademoiselle Colette, Rooh, Evvia Estiatorio, and Bird Dog offering a variety of cuisines. Grocery shopping is convenient with Whole Foods and the Downtown Palo Alto Farmers Market nearby. The neighborhood hosts annual events such as the Palo Alto Festival of the Arts and the May Fete Parade. Downtown North is served by the highly rated Palo Alto Unified School District, including Addison Elementary, Frank S. Greene Jr. Middle, and Palo Alto High. The area has a lower crime rate compared to the national average. Transportation is facilitated by California State Route 82, bike lanes, and the Palo Alto Caltrain Station, with Stanford Hospital and San Jose Mineta International Airport located 2 miles and 16 miles away, respectively.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Downtown North a good place to live?
Downtown North is a good place to live. Downtown North is considered very walkable and a biker's paradise with good transit options. Downtown North has 6 parks for recreational activities. It is very dense in population with 19.1 people per acre and a median age of 42. The average household income is $137,828 which is above the national average. College graduates make up 74% of residents. A majority of residents in Downtown North are renters, with 74.9% of residents renting and 25.1% of residents owning their home. A
local real estate agent serving Downtown North can help you decide if this neighborhood is the right one for you. Learn more on our
Downtown North neighborhood guide.
How much do you need to make to afford a house in Downtown North?
The median home price in Downtown North is $1,836,500. If you put a 20% down payment of $367,300 and had a 30-year fixed mortgage with an interest rate of 6.5%, your estimated principal and interest payment would be $9,290 a month plus property taxes, HOA fees, home insurance, PMI, and utilities. Using the 28% rule, you would need to make at least $398K a year to afford the median home price in Downtown North. The average household income in Downtown North is $138K.
What are the best public schools in Downtown North?
The best public schools that serve Downtown North are:
- Palo Alto High School has an A+ Niche grade, a student teacher ratio of 17:1 and an average review score of 3.9.
- Henry M. Gunn High School has an A+ Niche grade, a student teacher ratio of 17:1 and an average review score of 3.8.
- Ellen Fletcher Middle has an A+ Niche grade, a student teacher ratio of 14:1 and an average review score of 3.5.
What are the best private schools in Downtown North?
The best private schools that serve Downtown North are:
What are the most popular zip codes in Downtown North, Palo Alto, CA?
What are the most popular neighborhoods near Downtown North, Palo Alto, CA?
Home Trends in Downtown North, CA
On average, homes in Downtown North, Palo Alto sell after 40 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Downtown North, Palo Alto over the last 12 months is $1,700,000, down 3% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Median Sale Price
$1,700,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$2,875,000
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$3,500,000
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$1,387,500
Median 1 Bedroom Sale Price
$868,970
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$1,302
Number of Homes for Sale
1
Last 12 months Home Sales
25
Median List Price
$1,836,500
Median Change From 1st List Price
2%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-3%