A lesser-known area in Silicon Valley has recently come into the spotlight. Evergreen Park in Palo Alto has been hailed as the best place to live in California, landing at number three nationally, according to Niche’s Best Places to Live in 2026 list. This ranking evaluated over 18,000 communities.
The rankings are based on a mix of hard data and real-life feedback.
Niche tapped into information from various sources including the U.S. Census, FBI, Bureau of Labor Statistics, and CDC, along with their proprietary research and countless reviews from residents. Important factors assessed include cost of living, crime rates, quality of schools, job opportunities, and local amenities.
Evergreen Park has about 2,700 residents, providing a small-scale urban lifestyle. People living there enjoy easy access to parks, dining, and coffee spots, with the area particularly noted for its walkability, outdoor options, and health-focused facilities.
The public schools in the area receive high ratings, with an overall A+ score for the neighborhood. It’s worth mentioning, however, that living here doesn’t come cheap.
The median home price stands around $1.6 million, while rent averages about $3,400 per month, mirroring the high housing costs typical in Silicon Valley.
The top places to live in California, according to Niche, are:
- Evergreen Park (Palo Alto)
- Downtown North (Palo Alto)
- College Terrace (Palo Alto)
- University South (Palo Alto)
- Crescent Park (Palo Alto)
- Old Palo Alto (Palo Alto)
- Midtown (Palo Alto)
- Duveneck to St. Paul Francis (Palo Alto)
- Community Center (Palo Alto)
- Baron Park (Palo Alto)
If you’re looking for an ideal living situation in California and can handle the steep prices, Palo Alto is a prime choice.
