Sunnyvale, California
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching Sunnyvale.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in Sunnyvale?
Sunnyvale planning snapshot: population 156,792, housing index 413 (well above the U.S. housing-cost baseline), median home $1,816,600, median rent $3,065, and income near $181,862. Expect 77°F summer highs, 43°F winter lows, and about 26-minute one-way commutes. Violent-offense rates run about 167.2 per 100k (catalog avg 586.6).
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 413U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $1,816,600U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $3,065U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $181,862U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 4.1%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 26 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- 167.2per 100k · avg 586.6
- Summer high
- 77°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how Sunnyvale compares with the U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals where available; catalog-city averages for crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 156,792City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $181,862Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year132% above U.S. avgU.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 413ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year313% above U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $1,816,600City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year499% above U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $3,065City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year127% above U.S. avgU.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 4.1%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026Near U.S. avg (4.2 pts)U.S. 4.2 pts - Avg commute
- 26 minNear U.S. avg (25 min)U.S. 25 min
- Walk Score
- 5420% above U.S. avgU.S. 45
- Violent crime rate
- 167.2annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)71% below U.S. avgU.S. 586.6 - Property crime rate
- 2182.6annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)29% below U.S. avgU.S. 3087.9 - Summer high
- 77°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals10.0°F below U.S. avgU.S. 87°F
- Winter low
- 43°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals9.0°F above U.S. avgU.S. 34°F
- Annual rainfall
- 13.4 inAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals59% below U.S. avgU.S. 33 in
- Sunny days
- 299As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals12% above U.S. avgU.S. 268
Population trend
Sunnyvale grew 11.6% from 140,462 in 2010 to 156,792 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is Sunnyvale expensive compared to the U.S. average?
Compared with the U.S. average, Sunnyvale runs 313 points higher on MapsToIt's ACS housing index. Use that single number as a quick filter, then dig into home and rent cells for the budget you actually need.
- Housing cost index 413 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $1,816,600 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $3,065 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in Sunnyvale?
Budget first around $3,065/month rent or $1,816,600 purchase prices — both are MapsToIt ACS medians, not listing ask averages. National ACS medians are $1,348 rent and $303,400 home value for context.
- Median home value $1,816,600
- Median rent $3,065/month
- Median household income $181,862
What is the job market like in Sunnyvale?
Labor-market context for Sunnyvale: unemployment 4.1% and median income $181,862. Those are BLS LAUS (county) and ACS figures — industry mix still matters more than the headline rate alone.
- Unemployment 4.1% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $181,862
How long is the typical commute in Sunnyvale?
Plan on roughly 26 minutes each way in Sunnyvale. Walk Score estimates around 54 shape how car-dependent daily errands feel. Compare that with the 25-minute catalog average before you lock a neighborhood.
- 26 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 54/100
Is Sunnyvale safer than similar U.S. cities?
Sunnyvale's FBI-derived violent rate (~167.2/100k) sits below the average of mapped MapsToIt cities. Use the figure as a screening signal, then verify the blocks you would actually live on.
- Violent 167.2 per 100k
- Property 2182.6 per 100k
What is the climate like year-round in Sunnyvale?
Sunnyvale's climate profile: 77°F summer peaks, 43°F winter mornings, 13.4" annual rainfall, and 299 sunny days — from the nearest NOAA normals station.
- Summer high 77°F
- Winter low 43°F
- 13.4 in rain · 299 sunny days
Pacific weather, wildfire seasons, and housing scarcity dominate relocation tradeoffs. Roughly 299 sunny days a year give outdoor routines unusual calendar reliability. Average one-way commute time is about 26 minutes, and Walk Score estimates land around 54/100. Labor-market readings near 4.1% unemployment are neither boom nor bust by national standards. Violent-offense rates near 167.2 per 100k compare favorably with many peer metros, though local blocks still differ.
About 156,792 people live in Sunnyvale, CA. With median income around $181,862 and a cost index of 413, the market reads well above the national housing-cost baseline. Ownership is a high bar — typical values near $1,816,600 push many newcomers toward renting first.
Sunnyvale is compact enough that a single wrong neighborhood choice is easy to feel day to day — visit at commute hour before signing. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare Sunnyvale with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (Sunnyvale city, 1600000US0677000) — As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · Santa Clara County, July 2026 — As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026
- Crime: FBI CIUS Table 8 (2019) city offenses known to law enforcement — rates per 100k; CDE API unavailable at enrich time — As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00023244 MOFFETT FEDERAL AIRFIELD) — As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10