Arvada CO vs Sunnyvale CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Arvada, CO
Colorado · Population: 122,835
- Median HH Income$113,396
- Median Home Price$617,536
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+50.0%
Sunnyvale, CA
California · Population: 153,455
- Median HH Income$181,862
- Median Home Price$2,144,024
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+69.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Arvada
122,835
Sunnyvale
153,455
Sunnyvale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arvada
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
Median Age
Arvada
40.2
Sunnyvale
35.1
Sunnyvale +
Foreign Born
Arvada
5.2%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
White
Arvada
82.8%
Arvada +
Sunnyvale
30.4%
Black
Arvada
1.0%
Sunnyvale
1.5%
Sunnyvale +
Asian
Arvada
2.6%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
Hispanic
Arvada
15.4%
Sunnyvale
16.7%
Sunnyvale +
Spanish at Home
Arvada
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,835 | 153,455 | Sunnyvale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.2 | 35.1 | Sunnyvale + |
| Foreign Born | 5.2% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| White | 82.8% | 30.4% | Arvada + |
| Black | 1.0% | 1.5% | Sunnyvale + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| Hispanic | 15.4% | 16.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arvada
$113,396
Sunnyvale
$181,862
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Income
Arvada
$56,655
Sunnyvale
$95,752
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arvada
$76,653
Sunnyvale
$77,230
Sunnyvale +
Unemployment Rate
Arvada
3.9%
Arvada +
Sunnyvale
4.1%
Poverty Rate
Arvada
6.0%
Sunnyvale
5.6%
Sunnyvale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Arvada
50.0%
Sunnyvale
69.2%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,396 | $181,862 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Income | $56,655 | $95,752 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $77,230 | Sunnyvale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.1% | Arvada + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.0% | 5.6% | Sunnyvale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 50.0% | 69.2% | Sunnyvale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arvada
$617,536
Arvada +
Sunnyvale
$2,144,024
Homeownership Rate
Arvada
74.9%
Arvada +
Sunnyvale
43.8%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $617,536 | $2,144,024 | Arvada + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.9% | 43.8% | Arvada + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arvada
512
Sunnyvale
503
Sunnyvale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arvada
3234
Sunnyvale
2388
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 503 | Sunnyvale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2388 | Sunnyvale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arvada
23.4%
Sunnyvale
19.7%
Sunnyvale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arvada
8.3%
Sunnyvale
8.3%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arvada
15.1%
Sunnyvale
12.9%
Sunnyvale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arvada
8.4%
Sunnyvale
5.2%
Sunnyvale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arvada
19.9%
Sunnyvale
13.5%
Sunnyvale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arvada
10.3%
Sunnyvale
6.7%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 19.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 8.3% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 12.9% | Sunnyvale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 5.2% | Sunnyvale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 13.5% | Sunnyvale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 6.7% | Sunnyvale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arvada
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arvada
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arvada
6.2 µg/m³
Arvada +
Sunnyvale
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arvada
75.0%
Sunnyvale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Arvada + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arvada
28.6 min
Sunnyvale
25.3 min
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.6 min | 25.3 min | Sunnyvale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sunnyvale leads in median household income at $181,862, while arvada offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $617,536. On public safety, Sunnyvale is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Arvada. Arvada has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Arvada has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sunnyvale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.7%.
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