Compare 4 local companies in Palo Alto (3 with an office in the city, 1 that serves the area). 1 have a confirmed California real estate license. Pick up to 3 and send one free quote request.
Licenses checked with the California DRENo paid rankingsFree for owners
★ Highly Recommended · 100+ reviews4.7★ from 157 Google reviews; newest reviews average 4.6★. Score = rating adjusted for review count. Read all reviews on Google🏅 20+ years in business
790 High St, Palo Alto, CA 94301
4.7 (157 Google reviews)License Confirmed · DRE #00823559 (active)Recently reviewed
Wilbur Properties is a family-owned Palo Alto brokerage that has managed residential and commercial property on the San Francisco Peninsula since 1991, with more than 300 properties in Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Atherton, Los Altos and Mountain View.
In their words: “In the San Francisco Peninsula, Wilbur Properties delivers expert sales, leasing, and full-service property management across the Bay Area.”
Review summary: Owners and tenants often mention responsive managers, an in-house maintenance crew and quick, clear communication.
Serves the Palo Alto area · no public office address, so no map pin
5.0 (15 Google reviews)Recently reviewed
Nilsen Property Management serves the Palo Alto area and manages single-family homes, condos, multi-unit buildings and commercial property across the San Francisco Bay Area, including the Peninsula, East Bay, North Bay and South Bay.
In their words: “Nilsen Property Management makes owning property easier.”
Review summary: Owners and tenants often mention close attention to detail, steady updates and fast handling of maintenance requests.
Midtown Management & Sales is a Palo Alto company managing residential rentals in Palo Alto and the surrounding Peninsula, offering leasing, maintenance and real estate sales.
In their words: “Midtown Management will write up and execute the leases.”
Review summary: Tenants and owners often mention kind, communicative managers and quick handling of household repairs.
Marbella Properties is a Palo Alto leasing and management company serving the Peninsula and South Bay for over 30 years, managing single-family homes and apartments in Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Atherton, Los Altos and Redwood City.
Review summary: Owners often mention quick tenant placement, quality renters and honest, long-term service.
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Pins show office addresses; numbers match the Best match order. Companies that don't publish an address are listed as "Serves the Palo Alto area" and get no pin.
Palo Alto rental market
Get the latest rental and real estate data on the Palo Alto market. We update these charts with the latest data on the 22nd of each month.
Rent pulse
Typical asking rent$4,558a month in Palo Alto
1-year change+10.3%county +8.4%
5-year change+29.1%county +25.9%
vs county+$741county typical $3,817
Rents in Palo Alto are $741 above the Santa Clara County typical.
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (ZORI), typical asking rent, data through September 2026. Managers listed: our directory, October 2026.
More local facts for owners
Renters and vacancy
45.4%of homes in Palo Alto are rented (11,804 households)
Rental vacancy rate
10.2%
County vacancy rate
5.1%
Median rent paid
$3,484
Median home value
$2,000,001+
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024.
HUD Fair Market Rents
Studio$2,458
1 bedroom$2,778
2 bedrooms$3,272
3 bedrooms$4,396
4 bedrooms$4,688
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Fair Market Rents for fiscal year 2027, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA HUD Metro FMR Area. Used to set Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) limits.
California rules owners should know
Rent cap (AB 1482). For most rentals, a yearly rent increase can be at most 5% plus local inflation, and never more than 10% in 12 months.
Just cause. Once a tenant has lived in the home for 12 months, an owner generally needs a reason listed in the law to end the tenancy. For some no-fault reasons (such as moving in yourself) the tenant gets relocation help, usually one month's rent.
Not every home is covered. Common exceptions: homes built in the last 15 years, and single-family homes or condos not owned by a corporation or REIT, but only if the lease includes the required written notice.
Local rules. Some California cities have their own, stricter rent and eviction rules. Check the Attorney General's list and the City of Palo Alto before you set or raise rent.
Ask every manager the same questions and get the answers in writing, so you can compare quotes fairly.
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Property management in Palo Alto
Compare the 4 property management companies in Palo Alto, Santa Clara County. We matched a current California real estate license for 1 of them. Tick up to 3 to see them side by side, then request free quotes from all of them in one step. Highly rated managers based nearby, in Burlingame and Redwood City, are listed below the local companies.
Zillow's typical asking rent in Palo Alto is $4,558 (September 2026); +10.3% over the past year and +29.1% over five years. About 45.4% of homes in Palo Alto are rented, and the rental vacancy rate is 10.2% (Census, 2020-2024).
Palo Alto property management FAQ
How many property management companies are in Palo Alto?
We list 4 property management companies in Palo Alto, CA: 3 with an office in the city and 1 that serve the area from elsewhere or without a public office address. 1 of them have a License Confirmed badge: a clear match to an active California real estate license.
What is the typical rent in Palo Alto?
Zillow's typical asking rent in Palo Alto was $4,558 a month in September 2026, +10.3% on a year earlier.
When is the best time to list a rental in Palo Alto?
Over the 11 years Zillow has tracked, asking rents here have risen most in May, June and July. Listing in those months can help, but every property is different.
Do property managers need a license in California?
Yes. In California, managing rentals for other people generally requires a real estate broker license from the Department of Real Estate (DRE), or working under a licensed broker. You can check any license number on the DRE website.
How much do property managers charge in Palo Alto?
Fees depend on the company, the property and the services you need, and few companies publish them. Ask for a written quote that lists the monthly fee, leasing fee and any other charges. You can request quotes from up to 3 managers at once on this page.
How do you rank the companies?
The default order, Best match, uses each company's Google rating adjusted for how many reviews it has, so a 4.8 rating from 100 reviews ranks above a 5.0 from 2. License Confirmed companies get a small boost. No company can pay for its position.
Is it free to request quotes?
Yes. Requesting quotes is free for property owners and there is no obligation to hire anyone.