Provo UT 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)
Provo, UT
Utah · Population: 114,303
- Median HH Income$62,800
- Median Home Price$486,127
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+45.0%
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
Provo
114,303
Sunnyvale
153,455
Sunnyvale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Provo
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
Median Age
Provo
23.7
Provo +
Sunnyvale
35.1
Foreign Born
Provo
12.2%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
White
Provo
78.6%
Provo +
Sunnyvale
30.4%
Black
Provo
1.1%
Sunnyvale
1.5%
Sunnyvale +
Asian
Provo
2.2%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
Hispanic
Provo
18.9%
Provo +
Sunnyvale
16.7%
Spanish at Home
Provo
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Provo, UT | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,303 | 153,455 | Sunnyvale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 23.7 | 35.1 | Provo + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| White | 78.6% | 30.4% | Provo + |
| Black | 1.1% | 1.5% | Sunnyvale + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| Hispanic | 18.9% | 16.7% | Provo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Provo
$62,800
Sunnyvale
$181,862
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Income
Provo
$26,755
Sunnyvale
$95,752
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Provo
$60,713
Sunnyvale
$77,230
Sunnyvale +
Unemployment Rate
Provo
4.7%
Sunnyvale
4.1%
Sunnyvale +
Poverty Rate
Provo
22.3%
Sunnyvale
5.6%
Sunnyvale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Provo
45.0%
Sunnyvale
69.2%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Provo, UT | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,800 | $181,862 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,755 | $95,752 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $60,713 | $77,230 | Sunnyvale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 4.1% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.3% | 5.6% | Sunnyvale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.0% | 69.2% | Sunnyvale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Provo
$486,127
Provo +
Sunnyvale
$2,144,024
Homeownership Rate
Provo
39.9%
Sunnyvale
43.8%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Provo, UT | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $486,127 | $2,144,024 | Provo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.9% | 43.8% | Sunnyvale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Provo
245
Provo +
Sunnyvale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Provo
1931
Provo +
Sunnyvale
2388
| Metric | Provo, UT | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 245 | 503 | Provo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1931 | 2388 | Provo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Provo
30.7%
Sunnyvale
19.7%
Sunnyvale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Provo
6.1%
Provo +
Sunnyvale
8.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Provo
21.5%
Sunnyvale
12.9%
Sunnyvale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Provo
12.6%
Sunnyvale
5.2%
Sunnyvale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Provo
8.7%
Provo +
Sunnyvale
13.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Provo
7.0%
Sunnyvale
6.7%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Provo, UT | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | 19.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 8.3% | Provo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.5% | 12.9% | Sunnyvale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 5.2% | Sunnyvale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 13.5% | Provo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.0% | 6.7% | Sunnyvale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Provo
53.4°F
Sunnyvale
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Provo
19.8 in
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Provo, UT | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Provo
7.0 µg/m³
Provo +
Sunnyvale
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Provo
75.0%
Sunnyvale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Provo, UT | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.0 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Provo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Provo
20.1 min
Provo +
Sunnyvale
25.3 min
| Metric | Provo, UT | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 25.3 min | Provo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sunnyvale leads in median household income at $181,862, while provo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $486,127. On public safety, Provo is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Sunnyvale. Sunnyvale has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Provo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sunnyvale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.7%.
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