Silicon Valley is known for its booming tech industry, innovative startups, and high salaries. It’s no wonder that Silicon Valley is home to some of the wealthiest towns in the United States.
Below are 11 of the wealthiest towns in Silicon Valley and what makes them so desirable- from exclusive neighborhoods to top-rated schools and world-class dining, these towns have it all. Let’s dive in and explore the lavish lifestyles of Silicon Valley’s elite.
The information presented in this article is based on data from the US Census American Community Survey and the rankings are based on median household income.
1. Atherton, CA
Atherton is one of the wealthiest towns in Silicon Valley. It is an exclusive and upscale town in San Mateo County, known as a haven for the wealthy, home to many tech executives and venture capitalists.
Atherton residents are wealthy with a mean household income of $539,944 and an eye-popping median sale price of homes of $9,893,000!
Atherton has a population of 7,188. Its affluent residents are well educated with 84.60% of residents graduating with a bachelor’s degree or higher.
There is a good mix of families and senior citizens living in Atherton with 20.30% of Atherton residents under 18 years old and 24.00% of Atherton residents over 65 years old.
Atherton residents enjoy a short commute to work, with the average commute to work for Atherton’s residents being 23.1 minutes.
| Mean Household Income | $539,944 |
| Bachelor’s Degree or Higher | 84.60% |
| Median Sale Price of Homes | $9,893,000 |
2. Hillsborough, CA
Hillsborough is one of the richest towns in Silicon Valley. It is an exclusive residential town in San Mateo County known for its large mansions, historic homes, and scenic views of the San Francisco Bay. The town’s strict zoning laws prohibit commercial businesses and prohibit the construction of apartments, condominiums, or townhouses! Therefore promoting a tranquil, residential atmosphere.
Hillsborough residents are wealthy with a mean household income of $510,494. It’s expensive to live in Hillsborough, with a median sale price of $5,512,000.
Hillsborough has a population of 11,387. Its affluent residents are well educated with 83.10% of residents graduating with a bachelor’s degree or higher.
There is a good mix of families and seniors living in Hillsborough with 27.60% of Hillsborough residents under 18 years old and 18.80% of Hillsborough residents over 65 years old. The average commute to work for Hillsborough’s residents is 31.7 minutes.
| Mean Household Income | $510,494 |
| Bachelor’s Degree or Higher | 83.10% |
| Median Sale Price of Homes | $5,512,000 |
3. Portola Valley, CA
Portola Valley is one of the wealthiest towns in Silicon Valley. It’s a charming town known for its heavily wooded streets and extensive nature trail system, giving it a country feel despite its proximity to Silicon Valley.
Portola Valley residents are wealthy with a mean household income of $435,371. Home values in Portola Valley are high with a median sale price of $5,197,000.
Portola Valley has a population of 4,456. Its affluent residents are well educated with 81.70% of residents graduating with a bachelor’s degree or higher.
There is a high percentage of families and seniors living in Portola Valley with 21.70% of Portola Valley residents under 18 years old and 36.30% of Portola Valley residents over 65 years old.
The average commute to work for Portola Valley’s residents is 28.3 minutes.
| Mean Household Income | $435,371 |
| Bachelor’s Degree or Higher | 81.70% |
| Median Sale Price of Homes | $5,197,000 |
4. Woodside, CA
Woodside is a wealthy town in Silicon Valley. Located in San Mateo County, Woodside is known for its secluded hillside location that offers residents a high level of privacy. The town has a long-standing reputation as a home for wealthy venture capitalists and tech entrepreneurs.
Woodside residents are wealthy with a mean household income of $430,036. Home values in Woodside are extremely high with a median sale price of $5,143,000.
Woodside has a population of 5,309. Its affluent residents are well educated with 77.40% of residents graduating with a bachelor’s degree or higher.
There is a good mix of families and seniors living in Woodside. 25.50% of Woodside residents are children under 18 years old. While 20.40% of Woodside residents are seniors over 65 years old.
The average commute to work for Woodside’s residents is 26.1 minutes.
| Mean Household Income | $430,036 |
| Bachelor’s Degree or Higher | 77.40% |
| Median Sale Price of Homes | $5,143,000 |
5. Los Altos Hills, CA
Los Altos Hills is one of the wealthiest towns in Silicon Valley. It’s a great place to live due to its distinctly rural character, large custom homes, and stunning views of the San Francisco Bay plus most of the children of Los Altos Hills attend the top-rated Palo Alto School district.
Los Altos Hills residents are wealthy with a mean household income of $417,418. Homes are expensive at Los Altos Hills with a median sale price of $5,638,000.
Los Altos Hills has a population of 8,489. Its affluent residents are well educated with 86.30% of residents graduating with a bachelor’s degree or higher.
There is a good mix of families and senior citizens living in Los Altos Hills. 20.30% of Los Altos Hills residents are under 18 years old and 29.50% of Los Altos Hills residents are senior citizens over 65 years old.
The average commute to work for Los Altos Hills’s residents is 27.2 minutes.
| Mean Household Income | $417,418 |
| Bachelor’s Degree or Higher | 86.30% |
| Median Sale Price of Homes | $5,638,000 |
6. Los Altos, CA
Los Altos is another wealthy town in Silicon Valley. Located in Santa Clara county, Los Altos is an affluent town with a nice downtown area that offers world-class restaurants, high-end boutiques, and decades-old mom-and-pop businesses. Residents also enjoy the parks and highly regarded public schools in the top-rated Palo Alto School district.
Los Altos residents are wealthy with a mean household income of $357,631. Home values in Los Altos are high with a median sale price of $3,905,000.
Los Altos has a population of 31,625. Its affluent residents are well educated with 85.90% of residents graduating with a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Lots of families live in Los Altos with 25.00% of Los Altos residents under 18 years old. There is also a good number of senior citizens living in Los Altos with 19% of Los Altos residents over 65 years old.
The average commute to work for Los Altos’s residents is 23.7 minutes.
| Mean Household Income | $357,631 |
| Bachelor’s Degree or Higher | 85.90% |
| Median Sale Price of Homes | $3,905,000 |
7. West Menlo Park, CA
West Menlo Park is one of the wealthiest towns in Silicon Valley. It’s a small, affluent neighborhood in San Mateo County, California, that offers a tranquil suburban lifestyle just minutes away from the thriving tech hub of Silicon Valley.
West Menlo Park residents are wealthy with a mean household income of $350,501. Home values in West Menlo Park are high with a median sale price of $3,991,000.
West Menlo Park has a small population of 3,930. Its affluent residents are well educated with 83.80% of residents graduating with a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Compared to other towns on this list, there are a lot of families living in West Menlo Park with 32.1% of West Menlo Park residents under 18 years old. While only 11.80% of the residents are senior citizens over 65 years old.
The average commute to work for West Menlo Park’s residents is 27.7 minutes.
| Mean Household Income | $350,501 |
| Bachelor’s Degree or Higher | 83.80% |
| Median Sale Price of Homes | $3,991,000 |
8. Saratoga, CA
Saratoga is one of the richest towns in Silicon Valley. It’s a charming and sophisticated town with a lively restaurant scene, vibrant downtown, and beautiful outdoor spaces for hiking and rock climbing.
Located in California’s Santa Clara county, Saratoga residents are wealthy with a mean household income of $303,668.
Home values in Saratoga are high with a median sale price of $3,423,000.
Saratoga has a population of 31,051. Its affluent residents are well educated with 80.60% of residents graduating with a bachelor’s degree or higher.
There is a good mix of families and senior citizens living in Saratoga. 20.40% of Saratoga residents are under 18 years old and 23.10% of Saratoga residents are senior citizens over 65 years old.
The average commute to work for Saratoga’s residents is 29.8 minutes.
| Mean Household Income | $303,668 |
| Bachelor’s Degree or Higher | 80.60% |
| Median Sale Price of Homes | $3,423,000 |
9. Menlo Park, CA
Menlo Park is another wealthy Silicon Valley town. Located in San Mateo County, Menlo Park is steeped in tech history. The city played a significant role in Google’s early years, and is home to Facebook’s headquarters. The city’s proximity to Silicon Valley, excellent schools, vibrant downtown, and ample outdoor spaces make it a popular choice for families.
Menlo Park residents are wealthy with a mean household income of $276,133. The home values in Menlo Park are high with a median sale price of $2,648,000.
Menlo Park has a population of 33,780. Its affluent residents are well educated with 72.60% of residents graduating with a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Almost a quarter of the residents of Menlo Park are children under 18 years old. There are proportionally less seniors in Menlo Park with only 14.30% of Menlo Park residents over 65 years old.
The average commute to work for Menlo Park’s residents is 25.9 minutes.
| Mean Household Income | $276,133 |
| Bachelor’s Degree or Higher | 72.60% |
| Median Sale Price of Homes | $2,648,000 |
10. Palo Alto, CA
Palo Alto is a wealthy Silicon Valley town in Santa Clara county. It is a highly sought-after town due to its close proximity to the heart of Silicon Valley, luxury homes, beautiful parks, museums, prestigious universities, Stanford University and UC Berkeley, and plenty of shopping and dining options. Palo Alto is home to many venture capital firms and tech startup headquarters. It’s the perfect place to live for executives and entrepreneurs looking to live and work in the heart of Silicon Valley’s tech industry.
Palo Alto residents are wealthy with a mean household income of $268,748. It’s expensive to buy a home in Palo Alto with a median sale price of $3,190,000.
Palo Alto has a population of 68,572. Its affluent residents are well educated with 80.6% of residents graduating with a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Lots of families live in Palo Alto with 25.20% of Palo Alto residents under 18 years old.
The average commute to work for Palo Alto’s residents is 20.1 minutes.
| Mean Household Income | $268,748 |
| Bachelor’s Degree or Higher | 80.60% |
| Median Sale Price of Homes | $3,190,000 |
11. Los Gatos, CA
Los Gatos is a wealthy town in Silicon Valley. It is a small, vibrant town that offers Silicon Valley executives the perfect blend of small-town living and urban amenities. Los Gatos has excellent schools, pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods, and beautiful parks. Residents can also enjoy the town’s charming downtown with its farmers’ markets, world-class restaurants, and boutique shops.
Los Gatos residents are wealthy with a mean household income of $262,651. Compared to other towns on this list, it’s not as expensive to live in Los Gatos. Despite that, the median sale price of homes at Los Gatos is still a whopping $2,243,000!
Los Gatos has a population of 33,529. Its affluent residents are well educated with 73.4% of residents graduating with a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Lots of families live in Los Gatos with 22.50% of Los Gatos residents under 18 years old. There is also a good cohort of seniors living in Los Gatos with 20.2% of Los Gatos residents over 65 years old.
The average commute to work for Los Gatos’s residents is 28.9 minutes.
| Mean Household Income | $262,651 |
| Bachelor’s Degree or Higher | 73.40% |
| Median Sale Price of Homes | $2,243,000 |
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