Cost of Living in Los Altos Hills, CA

Population 8,367 · California · Data vintage 2023

500
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Los Altos Hills's housing market is in a category of its own — median home values around $2 million sit roughly 7 times the US figure, reflecting a market driven as much by second-home and resort buyers as by year-round residents.

Los Altos Hills sits roughly 6 miles west of Sunnyvale — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 10% higher than Sunnyvale's $1.8 million.

Cost Overview

Housing 656
Rent 266

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Los Altos Hills

The median home value in Los Altos Hills is $2,000,001 — 556% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $3,501/month, 166% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $250,001/year is 235% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.3%, below the national average of 4.8%. California's top state income tax rate is 13.3% and the combined sales tax is 8.7%. Overall, Los Altos Hills has a cost of living index of 500 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 400% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$2,000,001
556% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$251,590
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$3,501/mo
166% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
47.6x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
0.7%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$1,195
1 BR
$1,241
2 BR
$1,544
3 BR
$2,163
4 BR
$2,556
Owner-occupied 95.0%
Renter-occupied 5.0%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$3,501
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $4,115/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
29.9 min
11% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
42.9%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
51.2%
Carpooled
1.4%
Public transit
1.2%
Walked
1.8%
Bicycle
0.8%
Work from home
42.9%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 13.3%
Total Sales Tax 8.7%
State rate 7.3%
Avg local rate 1.4%
Property Tax 0.7%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$250,001
235% above avg
Per Capita Income
$173,837
Unemployment Rate
3.3%
31% below avg
Poverty Rate
4.5%
Labor Force Participation
53.5%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 32.0%
Graduate degree 53.6%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 53.5
Male median age 53.6
Female median age 53.2

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 43 — Good
65.8%
Good air days/yr
134
Max AQI recorded
179
PM2.5 days
184
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Los Altos Hills, CA?

Los Altos Hills has a cost index of 500 (100 = national average). It is 400% above the national average.

What is average rent in Los Altos Hills, CA?

The median gross rent in Los Altos Hills is $3,501 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Los Altos Hills?

The median home value in Los Altos Hills is $2,000,001 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Los Altos Hills?

The median household income in Los Altos Hills is $250,001 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Los Altos Hills, CA?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Los Altos Hills is 8.7%. The California state income tax top rate is 13.3%.

Is Los Altos Hills, CA affordable?

Los Altos Hills is above average in cost of living, with an index of 500 — about 400% higher than the national average.