Top 3 Hottest Cities in Santa Clara County to Buy Right Now

If you’re hunting for the next big opportunity in Silicon Valley real estate, not all cities are created equal. Based on market velocity, price growth, and demand dynamics tracked by Compass and local brokers, here are three of the hottest cities in Santa Clara County right now for savvy buyers.

1. Cupertino

Why it’s hot:

Cupertino homes are known to move quickly, sometimes selling 20% or more over the asking price in competitive spurts. Proximity to major tech employers (Apple’s campus, for example) gives it an almost perennial pull for high‑income buyers. Strong school districts and stable demand make it a safer bet for appreciation over time.

Risks & caveats:

Price per square foot is already very elevated, making entry difficult for many. You need to be well-prepared to move fast — excellent financing, pre-approval, and sharp comparables are essential.

2. Mountain View

Why it’s hot:

Mountain View is consistently cited among the cities with the tightest inventory and fastest-moving listings in Santa Clara County. It benefits from excellent transit access (Caltrain, light rail) and is central among many major tech employers. Because of its location and appeal, it draws both end users (families, commuters) and investors seeking long-term upside.

Risks & caveats:

As with Cupertino, competition is fierce — many deals will involve bidding wars, waived contingencies, or premium pricing. You must be especially diligent about inspection, financing, and timing strategies.

3. Sunnyvale

Why it’s hot:

Sunnyvale is another regular in the “fastest‑selling, most over‑asking” category in Santa Clara County. It offers a slightly wider range of housing types (single-family, townhomes, condos) compared to Cupertino or Mountain View, giving flexibility to buyers. Even though prices are high, there is sometimes more opportunity here at the margin for buyers who are ready to act.

Risks & caveats:

The very demand that makes Sunnyvale attractive also pushes margins tight. In many cases, you’ll still compete with institutional buyers or deep-pocketed buyers who can pay cash or near-cash.

Market Context & What’s Driving This

In 2025, Santa Clara County broke records: its 3‑month rolling median home price crossed the $2 million mark, making it the most expensive housing market in the Bay Area (at least temporarily) by that measure. The luxury segment is accelerating particularly fast: Compass and other broker analyses report double-digit percentage gains in the top tiers of the market. Compass itself has a huge footprint in the Bay Area — between May 2024 and May 2025, Compass’s Bay Area offices recorded nearly $28 billion in sales volume, underscoring how active the market is. 

All this means the bar for “good deals” is rising. The buyer who is informed, well-prepared, and advised well is more likely to capture value and avoid overpaying.

How to Use This Insight (and How I Can Help)

If you’re looking to buy in Santa Clara County right now, here’s how you can make it work to your advantage:

• Be preapproved ahead of time — in these markets, sellers expect buyers who can actually close.
• Have a strong comparative analysis — knowing recent sold comps and having a sharp pricing strategy is key.
• Move quickly — if a property hits the market in Cupertino, Mountain View, or Sunnyvale with good fundamentals, it may not last long.
• Use an agent with deep Compass/Silicon Valley experience — someone who knows the ins and outs of local micro‑markets, school zones, and bidding dynamics. And that's where I can help you.