Faith-based wealth management near Palo Alto, California
Seek First's office is in Campbell, about 22.5 miles and 34 minutes' drive from Palo Alto city hall (an estimate from OpenStreetMap routing). The firm works with more than 80 families across the Bay Area. This page covers Palo Alto's census figures, its city conveyance tax and the principal employers its financial report lists.
Palo Alto at a glance
- Population
- 67,609July 1, 2025 estimate
- Households
- 26,0212020-2024 American Community Survey 5-year estimate
- Median household income
- $231,1012020-2024, in 2024 dollars
- Per capita income
- $123,9392020-2024, in 2024 dollars
- Median value of owner-occupied homes
- $2,000,000+2020-2024 estimate. The Census prints a plus sign, so no exact median is published above $2,000,000
- Owner-occupied housing rate
- 54.6%2020-2024 estimate
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 82.3%Share of people age 25 and older, 2020-2024
Census figures: US Census Bureau QuickFacts: Palo Alto city, California.
About 22.5 miles and 34 minutes from our office at 1999 S. Bascom Ave., Suite 700, Campbell. Driving estimate from OpenStreetMap routing, city hall to the Campbell office.
Local rules that shape a plan in Palo Alto
- What is the Palo Alto city conveyance tax?
Palo Alto adds a city conveyance tax of $1.65 per $500 of value on top of the county's $0.55 per $500. For example, on a $1,000,000 sale the county tax is $1,100 and the city tax is $3,300, or $4,400 together. San Jose and Mountain View are the only other cities the county lists. Ask your title or escrow officer about a specific sale.
- What is the sales tax rate in Palo Alto?
Palo Alto's combined sales and use tax rate is 9.750%, effective October 1, 2026. That matches the Santa Clara County base rate. The rate applies to taxable purchases, so it matters when you plan a large purchase. Rates change, so check the state's current table before you buy.
- Which employers does the city list?
The City of Palo Alto's financial report for fiscal year 2019 (year ended June 30, 2019) lists principal employers with employee counts: Stanford Health Care, 5,500; Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, 5,700; Stanford University, 4,500; VMware, 3,500; and SAP Labs, 3,500. This is 2019 data. Company stock pay, such as RSUs, ISOs and ESPPs, raises its own tax-planning questions. Read our guide to RSUs, ISOs and ESPPs.
Source: City of Palo Alto: Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, fiscal year ended June 30, 2019
- Where is the probate court in Santa Clara County?
Santa Clara County probate cases are heard at Downtown Superior Court (DTS) in San Jose, and the Probate Clerk's Office is in Room 107. The courthouse is at 191 North First Street, San Jose, CA 95113. Building hours are Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm, and the court is closed on court holidays.
Source: Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara: Probate Court Location
- How does Prop 19 affect a Santa Clara County home transfer?
The county assessor says Prop 19 generally expands a qualifying homeowner's ability to transfer an assessed value and narrows the property tax benefits for people who inherit. For a parent-to-child transfer effective February 16, 2021, the value limit is the home's taxable value at transfer plus $1 million, and the child must use it as a primary residence.
Source: Santa Clara County Assessor: Parent-Child Transfer (Proposition 19)
- What is the Santa Clara County real estate transfer tax?
The county documentary transfer tax is $0.55 per $500 of consideration or value. The county fee schedule adds a city conveyance tax of $1.65 per $500 for San Jose, Palo Alto and Mountain View only. For example, the county tax on a $1,000,000 sale is $1,100. San Jose and Mountain View also have tiered taxes on higher-value transfers.
How Seek First helps families near Palo Alto
Seek First is a faith-based wealth management firm. One team plans retirement, taxes, investments, trusts and estates, insurance and giving under one coordinated plan.
- Retirement planning
- Tax planning
- Trust and estate planning in California
- Charitable giving strategy
- Passing on a California home under Prop 19
Questions about Palo Alto
How far is Seek First from Palo Alto?
The Seek First office in Campbell is about 22.5 miles and 34 minutes by car from Palo Alto city hall. That is an estimate from OpenStreetMap routing with no traffic, so allow more time at busy hours. The firm works with families across the Bay Area.
Where is the probate court for Palo Alto residents?
Santa Clara County probate cases are heard at Downtown Superior Court in San Jose, and the Probate Clerk's Office is in Room 107. The courthouse is at 191 North First Street, San Jose, CA 95113, open Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm. Ask an estate attorney which court covers a specific estate.
Does Palo Alto have its own real estate transfer tax?
Yes. The county fee schedule applies a city conveyance tax of $1.65 per $500 to Palo Alto, in addition to the county's $0.55 per $500. San Jose and Mountain View are the only other cities listed. Confirm the amount for a sale with the county Clerk-Recorder.
What is the sales tax rate in Palo Alto?
Palo Alto's combined sales and use tax rate is 9.750%, effective October 1, 2026, the same as the Santa Clara County base rate. The state tax agency posts the current table, and rates can change, so check it before a large purchase.
Nearby cities
Sources for this page, checked November 10, 2026: US Census Bureau QuickFacts: Palo Alto city, California; Santa Clara County Clerk-Recorder: Fee schedule; California Department of Tax and Fee Administration: City & County Sales & Use Tax Rates (effective October 1, 2026); City of Palo Alto: Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, fiscal year ended June 30, 2019. Figures change; this page is general information, not tax or legal advice.
Ready to experience what faith-guided financial planning feels like?
We work with families who have more than $1 million in investible assets and are looking for a long-term, high-trust advisory relationship. If that sounds like you, let’s start with a conversation.
