Rochester NY 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)
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
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
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Sunnyvale
153,455
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rochester
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
Median Age
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Sunnyvale
35.1
Foreign Born
Rochester
8.3%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
White
Rochester
41.5%
Rochester +
Sunnyvale
30.4%
Black
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Sunnyvale
1.5%
Asian
Rochester
3.2%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
Hispanic
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Sunnyvale
16.7%
Spanish at Home
Rochester
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,720 | 153,455 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 35.1 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 8.3% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| White | 41.5% | 30.4% | Rochester + |
| Black | 37.5% | 1.5% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 3.2% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 16.7% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rochester
$46,628
Sunnyvale
$181,862
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Income
Rochester
$30,451
Sunnyvale
$95,752
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Sunnyvale
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Rochester
7.9%
Sunnyvale
4.1%
Sunnyvale +
Poverty Rate
Rochester
26.6%
Sunnyvale
5.6%
Sunnyvale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rochester
29.9%
Sunnyvale
69.2%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $46,628 | $181,862 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,451 | $95,752 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $77,230 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 4.1% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.6% | 5.6% | Sunnyvale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 69.2% | Sunnyvale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Sunnyvale
$2,144,024
Homeownership Rate
Rochester
37.2%
Sunnyvale
43.8%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,627 | $2,144,024 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.2% | 43.8% | Sunnyvale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
434
Rochester +
Sunnyvale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
Sunnyvale
2388
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 503 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2388 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
38.0%
Sunnyvale
19.7%
Sunnyvale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
14.3%
Sunnyvale
8.3%
Sunnyvale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rochester
18.8%
Sunnyvale
12.9%
Sunnyvale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rochester
10.9%
Sunnyvale
5.2%
Sunnyvale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.3%
Sunnyvale
13.5%
Sunnyvale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.6%
Sunnyvale
6.7%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 19.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 8.3% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 12.9% | Sunnyvale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 5.2% | Sunnyvale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 13.5% | Sunnyvale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 6.7% | Sunnyvale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
48.2°F
Sunnyvale
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
34.3 in
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Sunnyvale
7.9 µg/m³
Sunnyvale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rochester
75.0%
Sunnyvale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rochester, NY | 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
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
Sunnyvale
25.3 min
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 25.3 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sunnyvale leads in median household income at $181,862, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 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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