F
166%
Overall NAT. AVG.
8%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
515%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Sunnyvale California National
Cost of living266140100
Goods & Services108111100
Groceries115112100
Health care123109100
Housing615196100
Transportation130126100
Utilities132127100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Sunnyvale, CA

The cost of living in Sunnyvale affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Sunnyvale is 266, which is 166% higher than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.

If you value affordability in your search for a new place to live, Sunnyvale may not be the most suitable option, as it stands out as one of the priciest areas in the entire United States. Only a small fraction of regions have a cost of living that is more than 20% higher than the national average, and regrettably, Sunnyvale falls into this category, which may not align with your desire for an affordable place to call home.

Housing costs make up a big chunk of the cost of living in Sunnyvale, and they usually eat into a large part of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, both buying a home and renting one costs 514.9% more than the average city. This includes stuff like home prices, rent, mortgage rates, and insurance.

The relentless increase in grocery prices is a noteworthy trend. In the last two years, grocery costs have experienced an upward trajectory of over 10%. Unfortunately, Sunnyvale is no exception, where grocery prices are 14.5% above the national average.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Sunnyvale?

Nobody knows their city better than the people who actually live there. So, we asked 17 local residents how they would rate the cost of living in Sunnyvale and this is how they responded. 53% of people said that the cost of living was affordable, with prices decreasing, while 47% of people said that the cost of living was very expensive and prices continue to rise.

Is Sunnyvale Affordable?

Wondering if Sunnyvale is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Sunnyvale, for example, the median home price is 656.5% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 184.4% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Sunnyvale boasting a median household income of $150,464, which is 172% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Sunnyvale?

Housing: High demand for housing in desirable locations can drive up property prices and rental rates. This can be a primary contributor to a higher cost of living. While low demand for housing, especially in undesirable locations, can have the reverse effect and drive prices down, resulting in a lower cost of living. The housing index in Sunnyvale, is 514.9% higher than the national average.

Transportation: In areas where public transportation is scarce or unavailable, residents often find themselves compelled to own and upkeep vehicles, thereby increasing the overall cost of living. Monthly expenses encompass fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potentially lease or financing payments. In Sunnyvale, the transportation index is 30.4% higher than the national average.

Taxes: Regions that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an increased cost of living. Higher taxes for everyday necessities such as clothing, utilities and food inevitably leads to higher expenditures. Additionally, a higher income tax rate can also play a role in elevating the overall cost of living. In Sunnyvale, the prevailing sales tax rate starts at 7.25%, and income tax rates kick off at 1%.

Where is the Data From?

The Sunnyvale cost of living data displayed above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure of living cost differences in urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, it compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services. These items have been meticulously selected to represent various consumer expenditure categories, in 6 categories. Weightings assigned to cost differentials draw from government survey data tracking spending patterns among professional and executive households. While the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Sunnyvale is 91% higher than the California average
  • The cost of living in Sunnyvale is 166% higher than the national average
  • Sunnyvale housing is 515% higher than the national average
  • California general sales tax is 42% higher than the national average
  • California state income tax is 61% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Sunnyvale

See all the best places to live around Sunnyvale

Compare Sunnyvale, CA Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$168,813$14,068$3,939$5,065
      Renters$138,249$11,521$3,226$4,148
      The percent of monthly income spent on housing can be a good indicator of the affordability of housing in Sunnyvale, CA, as well as the overall cost of living. As a general rule of thumb, the debt-to-income ratio (DTI) for homeowners or renters should be not more than 28 percent of gross income to be spent on housing related costs and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses, including debts. The median income for Sunnyvale homeowners, is $168,813. This would allow for a maximum of $3,939 per month to be spent on housing costs. For renters, the median monthly income is $138,249 which would result in a maximum of $3,226 to be spent on rental costs.

      California Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      California 7.25% 10.5%

      California Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      California 1% 13.3%

      Goods & Services

      Item Sunnyvale National avg. Difference
      Haircut $33.94$24.2639.9%
      Beauty Salon $48.51$45.566.5%
      Toothpaste $3.72$3.700.4%
      Shampoo $1.66$1.2829.9%
      Movie $13.31$12.139.7%
      Bowling $33.30$18.0085.0%

      Groceries

      Item Sunnyvale National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.79$5.840.8%
      Fried Chicken $2.13$1.5735.7%
      Milk $5.05$4.678.2%
      Potatoes $4.77$4.933.4%
      Pizza $14.92$12.0923.5%
      Beer $10.99$10.415.6%

      Health Care

      Item Sunnyvale National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $158.95$125.6826.5%
      Doctor $194.05$135.7842.9%
      Dentist $147.78$113.2930.4%
      Ibuprofen $11.51$10.658.1%
      Lipitor $390.15$468.6016.7%

      Housing

      Item Sunnyvale National avg. Difference
      Home Price $1,397,200.00$184,700.00656.5%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $8,581.10$2,346.69265.7%
      Apartment Rent $2,699.00$949.00184.4%

      Transportation

      Item Sunnyvale National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $4.81$3.4638.9%
      Tire Balancing $65.62$59.929.5%

      Utilities

      Item Sunnyvale National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $294.74$193.9951.9%
      Phone $190.07$192.251.1%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Loma Mar, CA28211716.8%
      Mountain View CDP, CA2,58513030.1%
      Alum Rock, CA11,79817877.8%
      Union City, CA75,06719898.4%
      Newark, CA48,14819797.0%
      Sunnyvale, CA152,569266166.2%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Pasadena, TX152,537946.3%
      Kansas City, KS153,0148614.2%
      Macon-Bibb County, GA153,0268911.1%
      Palmdale, CA153,24012828.0%
      Springfield, MA153,6771022.1%
      Sunnyvale, CA152,569266166.2%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.