Renton WA 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)
Renton, WA
Washington · Population: 75,721
- Median HH Income$162,099
- Median Home Price$765,686
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+74.7%
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
Renton
75,721
Sunnyvale
153,455
Sunnyvale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Renton
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
Median Age
Renton
35.0
Renton +
Sunnyvale
35.1
Foreign Born
Renton
44.4%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
White
Renton
48.7%
Renton +
Sunnyvale
30.4%
Black
Renton
2.2%
Renton +
Sunnyvale
1.5%
Asian
Renton
39.2%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
Hispanic
Renton
6.8%
Sunnyvale
16.7%
Sunnyvale +
Spanish at Home
Renton
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Renton, WA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 75,721 | 153,455 | Sunnyvale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 35.1 | Renton + |
| Foreign Born | 44.4% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| White | 48.7% | 30.4% | Renton + |
| Black | 2.2% | 1.5% | Renton + |
| Asian | 39.2% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| Hispanic | 6.8% | 16.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Renton
$162,099
Sunnyvale
$181,862
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Income
Renton
$89,026
Sunnyvale
$95,752
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Renton
$76,120
Sunnyvale
$77,230
Sunnyvale +
Unemployment Rate
Renton
4.1%
Sunnyvale
4.1%
Sunnyvale +
Poverty Rate
Renton
5.8%
Sunnyvale
5.6%
Sunnyvale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Renton
74.7%
Renton +
Sunnyvale
69.2%
| Metric | Renton, WA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $162,099 | $181,862 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Income | $89,026 | $95,752 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $77,230 | Sunnyvale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 4.1% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.8% | 5.6% | Sunnyvale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.7% | 69.2% | Renton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Renton
$765,686
Renton +
Sunnyvale
$2,144,024
Homeownership Rate
Renton
45.2%
Renton +
Sunnyvale
43.8%
| Metric | Renton, WA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $765,686 | $2,144,024 | Renton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 43.8% | Renton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Renton
383
Renton +
Sunnyvale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Renton
3409
Sunnyvale
2388
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Renton, WA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 503 | Renton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2388 | Sunnyvale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Renton
24.0%
Sunnyvale
19.7%
Sunnyvale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Renton
8.5%
Sunnyvale
8.3%
Sunnyvale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Renton
16.0%
Sunnyvale
12.9%
Sunnyvale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Renton
9.1%
Sunnyvale
5.2%
Sunnyvale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Renton
16.1%
Sunnyvale
13.5%
Sunnyvale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Renton
8.9%
Sunnyvale
6.7%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Renton, WA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 19.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 8.3% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 12.9% | Sunnyvale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 5.2% | Sunnyvale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 13.5% | Sunnyvale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 6.7% | Sunnyvale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Renton
53.2°F
Sunnyvale
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Renton
40.1 in
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Renton, WA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Renton +
Sunnyvale
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Renton
75.0%
Sunnyvale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Renton, WA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Renton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Renton
25.4 min
Sunnyvale
25.3 min
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Renton, WA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 25.3 min | Sunnyvale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sunnyvale leads in median household income at $181,862, while renton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $765,686. On public safety, Renton is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Sunnyvale. Sunnyvale has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Renton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sunnyvale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.7%.
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