If you're thinking about relocating to Silicon Valley, you're probably searching for the best places to live in Santa Clara that match your lifestyle, commute needs, and family priorities. I put together this guide as the creator of the original video on Living in Santa Cruz & Monterey Bay to walk you through my top 15 ranked cities in Santa Clara County. I’ve lived and worked in the area and helped dozens of clients move here, so I’ll share what makes each city special, who it's best for, and practical considerations to help you choose the right home.
Below you'll find my ranked list of the 15 best places to live in Santa Clara, with honest pros, things to watch out for, and tips on who each community serves best. I’ve also sprinkled in screenshots from the video so you can get a visual sense of each place as you read.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- 1. Palo Alto — The Quintessential Tech-and-Academia Hub
- 2. Mountain View — Where Google Calls Home
- 3. Sunnyvale — Centrally Located With Strong Job Market
- 4. Cupertino — Apple’s Hometown With Top Schools
- 5. Los Gatos — Small-Town Charm at the Mountain’s Edge
- 6. Santa Clara — Heart of Silicon Valley
- 7. Saratoga — Upscale, Tranquil, and Scenic
- 8. Campbell — Suburban with a Lively Downtown
- 9. Milpitas — More Affordable, Close to Tec
- 10. Morgan Hill — Suburban-Rural Blend With Outdoor Focus
- 11. Gilroy — Agricultural Roots and Affordability
- 12. Los Altos — Upscale, Residential, and Community-driven
- 13. Redwood City — Growing Tech Scene and Balanced Living
- 14. Foster City — Engineered Waterfront Living
- 15. San Jose — The largest city in Silicon Valley
- How to Choose Among the Best Places to Live in Santa Clara
- Practical Tips for Homebuyers and Renters
- FAQ About the Best Places to Live in Santa Clara
- Final thoughts
Introduction
Ranking the best places to live in Santa Clara involves balancing several factors: quality of schools, proximity to major tech employers, commute options, housing variety, safety, community vibe, and access to parks and recreation. I weighted schools and commute highly because Santa Clara County is largely driven by tech employment centers and families moving for education. That said, I also considered charm, downtown offerings, and outdoor access—because life here isn't only about work.
1. Palo Alto — The Quintessential Tech-and-Academia Hub
Palo Alto tops the list for a reason: home to Stanford University, an electric downtown, beautiful tree-lined neighborhoods, and a deep connection to Silicon Valley's history. If you're a family that prioritizes top-rated schools, or a tech professional who wants to be close to venture capital and startups, Palo Alto delivers. Downtown offers boutiques, cafes, and weekend farmer’s markets; parks and open space are excellent for outdoor time.
Things to know: housing is premium—expect high prices and fierce competition for single-family homes. But the neighborhood quality, school scores, and proximity to innovation make it a top pick.
2. Mountain View — Where Google Calls Home
Mountain View blends suburban calm with vibrant urban amenities. The presence of major tech employers—Google being the most obvious—has shaped a diverse community with family-friendly neighborhoods and excellent public schools. Castro Street is a lively downtown strip filled with restaurants and events.
Why choose Mountain View: if you want walkable dining options, access to transit (Caltrain and local shuttles), and neighborhoods that suit both families and young professionals.
3. Sunnyvale — Centrally Located With Strong Job Market
Sunnyvale sits in the heart of Silicon Valley and offers a balance of affordability relative to its neighbors, a strong job market with plenty of tech companies, and top-rated public schools. Neighborhoods prioritize safety and family activities, and there's a good mix of housing types from mid-century homes to newer developments.
Best for: professionals who want central access across the Valley and families who value schools and community recreation.
4. Cupertino — Apple’s Hometown With Top Schools
Cupertino is famous for Apple headquarters—and for excellent public schools. The community is strongly family-oriented, with quiet suburban streets, modern amenities, diverse dining, and shopping hubs. Neighborhoods skew toward single-family homes with good yard space.
Considerations: competition for housing near top-performing schools can be intense. If education is a top priority, Cupertino is hard to beat.
5. Los Gatos — Small-town Charm at the Mountain’s Edge
Los Gatos feels like a quaint escape from the Valley's hustle: a historic downtown with boutiques, cafés, and events, all tucked at the base of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Excellent schools and an active community calendar make it ideal for those seeking a small-town vibe with easy access to big-city amenities.
Who it's for: buyers who want charm, excellent schools, and proximity to trails and wineries.
6. Santa Clara — Heart of Silicon Valley
Santa Clara sits at the center of the tech industry with large employers like Intel and Nvidia nearby, plus Santa Clara University and Levi’s Stadium for sports and concerts. Housing options are diverse—from single-family neighborhoods to modern condos—making Santa Clara accessible for many budgets.
Why it ranks here: strong public services, growing job opportunities, and cultural amenities make this city practical and lively.
7. Saratoga — Upscale, Tranquil, and Scenic
Saratoga is known for upscale living: high-performing schools, beautiful wineries, graceful parks, and a charming downtown. It’s a quieter community that emphasizes serenity and quality of life—ideal for those seeking luxury and calm within reach of Valley jobs.
8. Campbell — Suburban with a Lively Downtown
Campbell combines suburban neighborhoods with a vibrant historic downtown full of restaurants, shops, and community events. With many family-friendly activities throughout the year, it’s a great fit for young professionals and families who want suburban comfort plus walkable entertainment.
9. Milpitas — More Affordable, Close to Tech
Milpitas offers comparatively more affordable housing in Silicon Valley and is well located near major tech employers. Diverse dining and shopping options pair with solid public schools and a strong sense of community.
Best for: buyers who want proximity to tech jobs without the highest Valley price tags.
10. Morgan Hill — Suburban-rural blend with outdoor focus
Morgan Hill lies further south and provides a suburban-rural mix with growing new housing developments. Known for wineries, outdoor recreation, and a quieter pace, it’s a lovely option if you don’t mind a longer commute and want a bit more space.
11. Gilroy — Agricultural Roots and Affordability
Gilroy brings agricultural heritage (famous for garlic) and affordability relative to many other Santa Clara cities. A tight-knit feel, family-friendly schools, and ample parks make it appealing for those seeking value and quieter living.
12. Los Altos — Upscale, residential, and community-driven
Los Altos is synonymous with upscale residential neighborhoods, top-rated schools, and a charming downtown. It offers that peaceful residential feel while keeping you close to tech hubs—ideal for families wanting luxury and community.
13. Redwood City — Growing tech scene and balanced living
Redwood City is developing a growing tech scene while retaining a diverse community and solid public schools. It offers a balanced mix of suburban and urban living, with an expanding downtown, cultural venues, and access to transit.
14. Foster City — Engineered Waterfront Living
Foster City was built on engineered landfill and offers beautiful waterfront views, excellent schools, and family-friendly amenities. With lagoons, parks, and abundant outdoor activities, it’s perfect for buyers who prioritize serene waterside recreation.
15. San Jose — The Largest City in Silicon Valley
San Jose rounds out the list as the largest city in the Valley with enormous diversity, a booming tech industry, vibrant cultural offerings—museums, theaters, and sports—and a wide range of housing options from suburban cul-de-sacs to downtown high-rises.
Who should consider San Jose: people who want variety in neighborhoods, better housing options for different budgets, and a rich cultural scene within Silicon Valley.
How to Choose Among the Best Places to Live in Santa Clara
Choosing the right city comes down to priorities:
- Work commute: Are you commuting to Google, Apple, or downtown San Jose? Choose proximity to your main job hub or access to Caltrain and freeways.
- Schools: If public school performance is crucial, prioritize cities like Cupertino, Palo Alto, Los Altos, and Saratoga.
- Housing style: Do you want a suburban yard, historic charm, or a modern condo? Cities like Los Gatos and Los Altos skew residential; San Jose and Redwood City offer more urban options.
- Budget: For relative affordability, look to Milpitas, Gilroy, and parts of San Jose and Morgan Hill.
- Lifestyle: Want waterfront living? Foster City fits. Prefer wineries and quiet nights? Saratoga or Morgan Hill might be best.
Practical tips for homebuyers and renters
- Start by narrowing your top three cities based on commute and schools. Tour neighborhoods at different times of day to feel traffic and vibe.
- Work with a local agent who knows micro-markets; prices and demand vary block-by-block in Santa Clara County.
- If schools are a priority, ask about boundary changes and upcoming development that might affect school assignments.
FAQ About the best places to live in Santa Clara
Which city has the best public schools?
Cupertino, Palo Alto, Los Altos, and Saratoga consistently rank among the top for public school performance in Santa Clara County. If schools are a top priority, these cities should be high on your list.
Where can I find relatively more affordable housing in Santa Clara County?
Milpitas, Gilroy, Morgan Hill, and certain neighborhoods in San Jose tend to offer more affordable options compared to Palo Alto, Los Altos, and Cupertino. Keep in mind that “affordable” here is relative to Silicon Valley’s market.
Which cities are best for tech professionals who want a short commute?
Mountain View and Palo Alto are ideal if you work near the Peninsula hubs. Cupertino is perfect for Apple employees. For broader access to the entire Valley, Sunnyvale and Santa Clara are centrally located.
Is public transportation good across these cities?
Transit options vary. Mountain View, Palo Alto, Redwood City, and San Jose have strong Caltrain and VTA connections. Other cities may require more driving or shuttle use; check commute options for your job.
What about outdoor activities and parks?
Los Gatos offers mountain access and trails; Foster City has waterfront recreation; Saratoga and Los Altos have parks and wineries. Most cities provide good park access, though the type of outdoor activity differs.
Final thoughts
Choosing one of the best places to live in Santa Clara comes down to balancing commute, schools, budget, and lifestyle. Each city on this list brings its own strengths—whether it's Palo Alto’s academic energy, Mountain View’s urban-park mix, Cupertino’s school reputation, or Foster City’s waterfront calm.
If you want help narrowing down neighborhoods or understanding current housing availability in any of these cities, I’m here to help you navigate the market with confidence. Reach out, and we’ll find the right community for your next chapter in Santa Clara County.
