Plymouth MN 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)
Plymouth, MN
Minnesota · Population: 79,526
- Median HH Income$133,865
- Median Home Price$514,358
- Unemployment2.0%
- Bachelor's+64.8%
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
Plymouth
79,526
Sunnyvale
153,455
Sunnyvale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Plymouth
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
Median Age
Plymouth
40.7
Sunnyvale
35.1
Sunnyvale +
Foreign Born
Plymouth
13.6%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
White
Plymouth
74.8%
Plymouth +
Sunnyvale
30.4%
Black
Plymouth
5.0%
Plymouth +
Sunnyvale
1.5%
Asian
Plymouth
10.1%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
Hispanic
Plymouth
4.7%
Sunnyvale
16.7%
Sunnyvale +
Spanish at Home
Plymouth
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Plymouth, MN | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 79,526 | 153,455 | Sunnyvale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.7 | 35.1 | Sunnyvale + |
| Foreign Born | 13.6% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| White | 74.8% | 30.4% | Plymouth + |
| Black | 5.0% | 1.5% | Plymouth + |
| Asian | 10.1% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 16.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Plymouth
$133,865
Sunnyvale
$181,862
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Income
Plymouth
$69,839
Sunnyvale
$95,752
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Plymouth
$69,467
Sunnyvale
$77,230
Sunnyvale +
Unemployment Rate
Plymouth
2.0%
Plymouth +
Sunnyvale
4.1%
Poverty Rate
Plymouth
4.1%
Plymouth +
Sunnyvale
5.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Plymouth
64.8%
Sunnyvale
69.2%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Plymouth, MN | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $133,865 | $181,862 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Income | $69,839 | $95,752 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $77,230 | Sunnyvale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.0% | 4.1% | Plymouth + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.1% | 5.6% | Plymouth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 64.8% | 69.2% | Sunnyvale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Plymouth
$514,358
Plymouth +
Sunnyvale
$2,144,024
Homeownership Rate
Plymouth
74.7%
Plymouth +
Sunnyvale
43.8%
| Metric | Plymouth, MN | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $514,358 | $2,144,024 | Plymouth + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.7% | 43.8% | Plymouth + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Plymouth
284
Plymouth +
Sunnyvale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Plymouth
1992
Plymouth +
Sunnyvale
2388
| Metric | Plymouth, MN | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 503 | Plymouth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 2388 | Plymouth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Plymouth
24.1%
Sunnyvale
19.7%
Sunnyvale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Plymouth
7.0%
Plymouth +
Sunnyvale
8.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Plymouth
12.7%
Plymouth +
Sunnyvale
12.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Plymouth
5.3%
Sunnyvale
5.2%
Sunnyvale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Plymouth
18.5%
Sunnyvale
13.5%
Sunnyvale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Plymouth
8.5%
Sunnyvale
6.7%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Plymouth, MN | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.1% | 19.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.0% | 8.3% | Plymouth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.7% | 12.9% | Plymouth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.3% | 5.2% | Sunnyvale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 13.5% | Sunnyvale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 6.7% | Sunnyvale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Plymouth
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Plymouth
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Plymouth, MN | 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.)
Plymouth
8.1 µg/m³
Sunnyvale
7.9 µg/m³
Sunnyvale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Plymouth
75.0%
Sunnyvale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Plymouth, MN | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Sunnyvale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Plymouth
24.5 min
Plymouth +
Sunnyvale
25.3 min
| Metric | Plymouth, MN | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 25.3 min | Plymouth + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sunnyvale leads in median household income at $181,862, while plymouth offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $514,358. On public safety, Plymouth is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Sunnyvale. Plymouth has a lower unemployment rate at 2.0%, 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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