2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Palo Alto, CA vs Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA

Change Cities
Highlights
Are people in Carmel-by-the-Sea older or younger than people in Palo Alto?
- The Median Age in Carmel-by-the-Sea is 21.8 years older than in Palo Alto.

Are housing costs cheaper in Carmel-by-the-Sea or Palo Alto?
- Carmel-by-the-Sea housing costs are 38.3% less expensive than Palo Alto housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Carmel-by-the-Sea or Palo Alto?
- The average commute for residents of Carmel-by-the-Sea is 1.8 minutes shorter than it is for residents of Palo Alto.

Things to do in Palo Alto?
Palo Alto, California is a vibrant city nestled in the heart of Silicon Valley. Home to Stanford University and various tech giants such as Google, Apple, and Facebook, it has long been known as the epicenter for cutting-edge technology and innovative thinking. Residents here enjoy warm weather year round, excellent public schools, a thriving nightlife scene, plus vast amounts of green space perfect for hiking, biking or horseback riding. There's also no shortage of culture with world class museums and galleries showcasing some of the area’s most celebrated artworks. With its abundant resources and booming economy, Palo Alto truly offers something for everyone!

Things to do in Carmel-by-the-Sea?
Living in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA is like living in paradise. With its beautiful white sand beaches, stunning ocean views, and colorful gardens, it's easy to see why so many people are drawn to this picturesque city. Its unique shops, restaurants and galleries provide visitors with a unique shopping experience while its numerous parks and trails offer plenty of outdoor activities for all ages. The climate is mild year round, making it the perfect spot for vacationers or those looking for a permanent home. The quaint downtown area of Carmel-by-the-Sea provides a relaxed atmosphere that makes it one of the most desirable places to live on the Central Coast.

 Palo Alto, CACarmel-by-the-Sea, CAUnited States
 Population  Unlock3,296329,725,481
 Median Income$194,782  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock63.638.4
 Avg. Home Price$3,107,600  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock10.4%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time24.23  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Palo Alto    8 Reviews

The Bay Area in general, but Palo Alto specifically provides many of the qualities sought by many; the climate is beautiful, there is access to cultural and recreational  More

   |    Reply

Over 17 years ago

Very  More

   |    Reply

Over 18 years ago

VTA and SamsTrans and Caltrain all provide good service and most times frequency of service is  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Palo Alto

Reviews for Carmel-By-The-Sea    3 Reviews

Over 9 years ago

Climate, cost &  More

   |    Reply

carmel has about 60 vacation homes and a dense cottage-y downtown. basically it is a tourist trap cental business district and a bunch of vacation rental homes. the  More

   |    Reply

Over 17 years ago

Liberals have run me out of town. The political is so overwhelming I am looking to relocate. However, if you are an aging hippie with a great deal of money you will be  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Carmel-By-The-Sea


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.