Saint Paul 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)
Saint Paul, MN
Minnesota · Population: 307,762
- Median HH Income$73,055
- Median Home Price$297,021
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+43.5%
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
Saint Paul
307,762
Saint Paul +
Sunnyvale
153,455
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Saint Paul
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
Median Age
Saint Paul
33.5
Saint Paul +
Sunnyvale
35.1
Foreign Born
Saint Paul
18.7%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
White
Saint Paul
53.2%
Saint Paul +
Sunnyvale
30.4%
Black
Saint Paul
16.2%
Saint Paul +
Sunnyvale
1.5%
Asian
Saint Paul
17.9%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
Hispanic
Saint Paul
9.1%
Sunnyvale
16.7%
Sunnyvale +
Spanish at Home
Saint Paul
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,762 | 153,455 | Saint Paul + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 35.1 | Saint Paul + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| White | 53.2% | 30.4% | Saint Paul + |
| Black | 16.2% | 1.5% | Saint Paul + |
| Asian | 17.9% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| Hispanic | 9.1% | 16.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Saint Paul
$73,055
Sunnyvale
$181,862
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Income
Saint Paul
$41,594
Sunnyvale
$95,752
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Saint Paul
$69,467
Sunnyvale
$77,230
Sunnyvale +
Unemployment Rate
Saint Paul
4.9%
Sunnyvale
4.1%
Sunnyvale +
Poverty Rate
Saint Paul
15.8%
Sunnyvale
5.6%
Sunnyvale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Saint Paul
43.5%
Sunnyvale
69.2%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,055 | $181,862 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,594 | $95,752 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $77,230 | Sunnyvale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.1% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | 5.6% | Sunnyvale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.5% | 69.2% | Sunnyvale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Saint Paul
$297,021
Saint Paul +
Sunnyvale
$2,144,024
Homeownership Rate
Saint Paul
53.2%
Saint Paul +
Sunnyvale
43.8%
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $297,021 | $2,144,024 | Saint Paul + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.2% | 43.8% | Saint Paul + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Saint Paul
284
Saint Paul +
Sunnyvale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Saint Paul
1992
Saint Paul +
Sunnyvale
2388
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 503 | Saint Paul + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 2388 | Saint Paul + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Sunnyvale
19.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Sunnyvale
8.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Saint Paul
N/A
Sunnyvale
12.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Sunnyvale
5.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Sunnyvale
13.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Sunnyvale
6.7%
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 19.7% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.3% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 12.9% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 5.2% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.5% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 6.7% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Saint Paul
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Saint Paul
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Saint Paul, 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.)
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
Sunnyvale
7.9 µg/m³
Sunnyvale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Saint Paul
75.0%
Sunnyvale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Saint Paul, 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
Saint Paul
24.1 min
Saint Paul +
Sunnyvale
25.3 min
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 25.3 min | Saint Paul + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sunnyvale leads in median household income at $181,862, while saint Paul offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $297,021. On public safety, Saint Paul is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 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).
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