Palo Alto, CA
Homes in 94301: what they're like and what they need
A plain-English report on the 8,429 homes in ZIP 94301, from public Census and city data, with the repairs and upgrades homes like these usually need.
1957
Typical home built
72%
Built before 1980
66%
Heat with gas
53%
Owner-occupied
What homes in 94301 usually need
Electrical panel check before an EV charger or heat pump
72% of homes here were built before 1980, when panels were often sized for much less load. Check yours before adding big electric items.
Earthquake bolting and bracing
Houses built before 1980 on raised foundations are the ones California's Earthquake Brace + Bolt program offers grants for. Check whether your home qualifies.
Lead-safe painting and remodeling
About 70% of homes here are older than 1978. Painters and remodelers working on them must follow EPA lead-safe rules (RRP certification).
Gas furnace to heat pump
66% of homes in 94301 heat with gas. A heat pump replaces the furnace and adds AC, and Bay Area rebates often cover a large share.
Older pipes and sewer lines
53% of homes here are from the 1950s or earlier, when galvanized supply pipes and clay or cast-iron sewer lines were common. A camera inspection of the sewer line is cheap insurance.
Roof and gutters before the rains
Half the homes here were built before 1958. Most roofs last 20-30 years, so many are on their second or third. Clean gutters and a roof check before winter storms prevent most leaks.
When homes in 94301 were built
56% are detached houses. 31% heat with electricity. Median owner-reported value: $2,000,000+.
Rebates for 94301 homes
- City of Palo Alto Utilities Rebate Hub (City of Palo Alto Utilities)
- Valley Water Landscape Rebate Program (Valley Water (Santa Clara County water district))
- BayREN home energy programs (Bay Area Regional Energy Network (9 Bay Area counties))
- Switch Is On incentive finder (Statewide (California))
Permits in Palo Alto
Which projects need a permit, how long it takes and where to apply.
Palo Alto permit checkerPros serving Palo Alto
- Plumbers in Palo Alto
- Heating & AC Contractors in Palo Alto
- Electricians in Palo Alto
- Handyman Services in Palo Alto
- Roofers in Palo Alto
- Pest Control Companies in Palo Alto
- Painters in Palo Alto
- Landscapers & Tree Services in Palo Alto
- General Contractors in Palo Alto
- Solar Installers in Palo Alto
Need something done in 94301?
Tell us once. SVHN finds a checked local pro, and you approve before anyone comes out.
Get a proQuestions about homes in 94301
- How old are the homes in 94301?
- Half of the 8,429 homes in 94301 (Palo Alto) were built before 1957, so the typical home is about 69 years old. 72% were built before 1980 and 13% since 2000.
- How do homes in 94301 heat?
- 66% heat with gas and 31% with electricity. Gas-heated homes are the ones heat pump rebates are aimed at.
- Are most homes in 94301 owned or rented?
- 53% are lived in by their owners and 47% are rented. 56% are detached single-family houses.
- What is the median home value in 94301?
- The Census estimate of the median owner-reported home value in 94301 is $2,000,000+ (2020-2024 average).
For local pros: trades that fit 94301
Compared with the other 68 ZIPs SVHN serves, homes here are among the best fits for:
- Plumbing #4
- Water Damage & Mold #7
- Remodeling #7
- General Contractors #8
- Chimney & Fireplace #8
- Pools & Spas #10
- House Cleaning #11
- Property Management #11
Run a home-service business? SVHN's free Market Finder ranks every ZIP for your trade
Other Palo Alto ZIPs
Housing figures: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for ZIP code tabulation area 94301 (estimates, via Census Reporter). "What homes usually need" is general guidance based on home age and heating type, not an inspection of any home.
