Stanford
Contributing to the Regional Economy
Regional Economy
A welder welding an I beam

Supporting Regional Prosperity

Learn about how Stanford’s assets are contributing to the health of local governments and economies.

Supporting Regional Prosperity

We support the economic and fiscal stability of surrounding cities and counties.

By driving local spending and investing in affordable housing development, Stanford helps to strengthen the financial well-being of nearby communities.

University Assets Drive Tax Revenue

Our commercial real estate assets provide important financial support for our teaching and research mission, while generating meaningful tax revenues that help local governments and school districts deliver essential services to local residents and businesses.

aerial street schene of large white building with people outside

The Hub, Stanford Research Park | Courtesy of Stanford Research Park

outdoor shopping center with shoppers

Stanford Shopping Center | Credit: Kevin Berne

Exterior of the front of a building at night

Rosewood Hotel | Courtesy of Stanford Real Estate

Note: Other university assets include additional hotels, commercial, and multifamily housing properties located on Stanford land.

Allocation of Taxes to Local Jurisdictions and Communities

Stanford assets generated over $149M in total tax revenue to regional jurisdictions and the state in 2024 and drive a significant share of tax revenue in the local Palo Alto economy.

$79M ​Total Property Tax Revenue Generated by Stanford Assets (FY 2024) ​
Graph showing breakdown of $79M Property Tax Revenue Generated by Stanford Assets
$61M Total Sales Tax Revenue Generated by Stanford Assets (FY 2024)
Graph showing the Total Sales Tax Revenue Generated by Stanford Assets (FY 2024) totaling $61M
$10M ​Total Hotel Transit Oriented Tax (TOT) Tax Revenue Generated by Stanford Assets (FY 2024)
Graph showing breakdown of Hotel Transit Oriented Tax (TOT) Tax Revenue Generated by Stanford Assets

Boosting Spending in the Local Community

We support the economic vitality of local shops, restaurants, hotels, and other businesses through visitors attending university events and gatherings, and the everyday activity of the Stanford community.

Cantor Arts Center exterior with stat overlay: 350K+ Annual audience members attending arts programming in 2024 at Stanford facilities

Credit: Nikolas Liepins/Ethography for Stanford UComm

The Cantor Arts Center and Anderson Collection are free to the public and host over 125,000 and 30,000 visitors a year, respectively.

Stanford Live also hosts approximately 194,000 attendees a year, with families and students coming to enjoy a variety of musical performances.
 

Stanford basketball game with stat overlay: 450K+ Tickets distributed by Stanford’s Department of Athletics for athletic events in 2024

Credit: Andrew Brodhead / Stanford University

 

A man walks along a hiking path with a large satellite dish in the background

Credit: Andrew Brodhead / Stanford University

Spending by the greater Stanford community – students and employees – supports local shops, restaurants, and more.

$210.3M Student and employee spending in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties in FY 2024
testimonial from local business owners

Investing in Affordable Housing

Through the Stanford Affordable Housing Fund (SAHF), we are assisting local cities with diversifying affordable housing options that support resident retention and attraction by making contributions to the construction and preservation of affordable housing whenever new academic facilities are built on campus.

Stanford contributions to the SAHF (2000 – 2024)

$43.5M

Units preserved and produced from Menlo Park to Mountain View (2000 - 2024)

662
sign that reads Buena Vista Park in front of buildings

Preserving a Community

The Stanford Affordable Housing Fund was instrumental in preserving the 117-unit Buena Vista Mobile Home Park, which risked closure in 2017.

rendering of an apartment building

Supporting Teacher Housing

The Stanford Affordable Housing Fund provided $6 million to support teacher housing at 231 Grant Avenue in Palo Alto.

rendering of an apartment building complex

Lowering Market Rents

Stanford has dedicated 229 units as below-market-rate housing for the public, including the 70-unit Mayfield Place, which is exclusively for our low- and moderate-income neighbors.

NOTE: Data presented on this website originates primarily from internal Stanford University departments, including the Office of Community Engagement, Land, Buildings & Real Estate, Business Affairs, the Office of Technology Licensing, University Human Resources, and others. Certain metrics, such as employee spending and job creation from construction expenditures, are derived from university data but required supplemental analysis and calculations that rely on publicly available data and information. The university retained an outside firm with expertise in the field to independently perform the supplemental analyses and calculations.