Cost of living in Palo Alto, California, United States

Summary of cost of living in Palo Alto, California

  • Family of four estimated monthly costs: $8,040
  • Single person estimated monthly costs: $4,989
    • WARNING!  These estimates are based on only a few data points. At the moment, you should treat them only as a best guess.

List of prices in Palo Alto, California
Current as of Jul 2025.

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Food Update prices
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district $23
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) $11
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast $6
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk $1.37
12 eggs, large $6
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes $8
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese $9
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples $6
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes $2.62
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket $3.27
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality $19
2 liters of coca-cola $3.61
Bread for 2 people for 1 day $4.52
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Housing Update prices
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area $4,415
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area $3,296
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat $236
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area $2,821
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area $2,154
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio $123
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) $56
40” flat screen tv $548
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) $128
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) $12
Hourly rate for cleaning help $48
Clothes Update prices
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) $48
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) $69
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) $87
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes $117
Transportation Update prices
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new $25,804
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas $1.35
Monthly ticket public transport $176
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) $18
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Personal Care Update prices
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) $11
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) -
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) $118
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) $12
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) $4.24
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) $7
4 rolls of toilet paper $4.01
Tube of toothpaste $2.26
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city $49
Entertainment Update prices
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub $98
2 tickets to the movies $28
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) $357
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert $149
1 cocktail drink in downtown club $16
Cappuccino in expat area of the city $5.77
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) $11
Ipad wi-fi 128gb $544
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) $0.16
1 month of gym membership in business district $90
1 package of marlboro cigarettes $9
WARNING!  These prices are based on only a few data points. At this point they are mostly a guess. They are based on 13 prices entered by less than 5 different people.
Latest price update: July 08, 2025

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International Cost of Living Index

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