Atlanta GA 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)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
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
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Sunnyvale
153,455
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Atlanta +
Sunnyvale
35.1
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Atlanta +
Sunnyvale
30.4%
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Sunnyvale
1.5%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Sunnyvale
16.7%
Sunnyvale +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 153,455 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 35.1 | Atlanta + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| White | 39.9% | 30.4% | Atlanta + |
| Black | 46.9% | 1.5% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 16.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Sunnyvale
$181,862
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Sunnyvale
$95,752
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Sunnyvale
$77,230
Sunnyvale +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Sunnyvale
4.1%
Sunnyvale +
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Sunnyvale
5.6%
Sunnyvale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Sunnyvale
69.2%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $181,862 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $95,752 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,230 | Sunnyvale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.1% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 5.6% | Sunnyvale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 69.2% | Sunnyvale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Atlanta +
Sunnyvale
$2,144,024
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Atlanta +
Sunnyvale
43.8%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $2,144,024 | Atlanta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 43.8% | Atlanta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Atlanta +
Sunnyvale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Atlanta +
Sunnyvale
2388
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 503 | Atlanta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2388 | Atlanta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Sunnyvale
19.7%
Sunnyvale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Sunnyvale
8.3%
Sunnyvale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Sunnyvale
12.9%
Sunnyvale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Sunnyvale
5.2%
Sunnyvale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Sunnyvale
13.5%
Sunnyvale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Sunnyvale
6.7%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 19.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 8.3% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 12.9% | Sunnyvale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 5.2% | Sunnyvale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 13.5% | Sunnyvale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 6.7% | Sunnyvale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Sunnyvale
7.9 µg/m³
Sunnyvale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Sunnyvale
75.0%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Sunnyvale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Sunnyvale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Atlanta
28.7 min
Sunnyvale
25.3 min
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 25.3 min | Sunnyvale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sunnyvale leads in median household income at $181,862, while atlanta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $387,752. On public safety, Atlanta is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Sunnyvale. Sunnyvale has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Sunnyvale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sunnyvale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.7%.
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