Palo Alto vs Mountain View: Full Comparison
Updated November 2026 · Cost of living, safety, and climate data
Quick Answer
Mountain View is 1% safer. Palo Alto population: 67,609. Mountain View population: 85,438.
Which city is better for you?
Based on cost of living indices, FBI crime data, and NOAA climate records.
Cost of Living
Cost of living data is not available for either city. Try the salary calculator for cities with data.
Safety: Palo Alto vs Mountain View
Mountain View is 1% safer overall, with a crime rate of 25.6 per 1,000 residents vs Palo Alto's 25.8. Mountain View earns a C+ safety grade compared to Palo Alto's C+. Based on 2023 FBI data.
Palo Alto
California
Mountain View
California
| Metric | Palo Alto | Mountain View |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Crime Rate | 25.8/1K | 25.6/1K |
| Violent Crime Rate | 382.4 | 418.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2200.9 | 2145.9 |
| Murder Rate | 5.1 | 4.6 |
| Assault Rate | 259.9 | 257.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 37.4 | 66.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 418.4 | 386.3 |
| Theft Rate | 1753.1 | 1867.1 |
| Vehicle Theft Rate | 271.1 | 440.7 |
Crime rates per 100,000 residents. 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data. Lower rates are better (safer).
Victim Odds
In Palo Alto, you have a 1 in 39 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 39 in Mountain View.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Learn More About Each City
Safety data: 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report. Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities and C2ER Cost of Living Index. Climate: NOAA 30-year normals. Not a substitute for local guidance.
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