Cost of Living in Sunnyvale, California
In Sunnyvale, the median household income is $186,170 and the median gross rent is $3,039/mo, with a median home value of $1,801,800. Source: Census Bureau ACS, 2020-2024 estimates.
- Median household income
- $186,170
- Median gross rent
- $3,039/mo
- Median home value
- $1,801,800
- Population
- 154,236
How Sunnyvale compares to the California average
| Measure | Sunnyvale, CA | California statewide | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $186,170 | $99,122 | +87.8% |
| Median gross rent (monthly) | $3,039 | $2,036 | +49.3% |
| Median home value | $1,801,800 | $734,700 | +145.2% |
Statewide, California prices average 110.7 on the BEA Regional Price Parity index (2024), where the U.S. average is 100.
Housing affordability in Sunnyvale
- Salary needed for median rent
- $121,560
- Rent burden at median income
- 19.6%
- Est. affordable home price
- $679,136
So that $3,039/mo is 30% of gross income
Share of the median household income spent on median rent (30%+ = cost-burdened)
At median income, 6.67% 30-yr rate (FRED, 2026-08), 20% down, 28% front-end DTI
The median home value in Sunnyvale is $1,801,800 — +165.3% above what the median household income supports under these assumptions.
Estimates from documented formulas — see methodology. Not financial advice.
Cost of living in other California cities
About this data
- American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates — data period 2020-2024, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Regional Price Parities — data period 2024, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Federal Reserve Economic Data — data period 2026-08, retrieved August 13, 2026.
Figures are shown exactly as published by the source or derived by the documented formulas on our methodology page. Where a source suppresses an estimate, we show “—” rather than a substitute value.