Seattle 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)
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
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
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Sunnyvale
153,455
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Seattle
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
Median Age
Seattle
35.5
Sunnyvale
35.1
Sunnyvale +
Foreign Born
Seattle
19.9%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
White
Seattle
61.8%
Seattle +
Sunnyvale
30.4%
Black
Seattle
6.6%
Seattle +
Sunnyvale
1.5%
Asian
Seattle
17.2%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
Hispanic
Seattle
8.2%
Sunnyvale
16.7%
Sunnyvale +
Spanish at Home
Seattle
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 741,440 | 153,455 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 35.1 | Sunnyvale + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| White | 61.8% | 30.4% | Seattle + |
| Black | 6.6% | 1.5% | Seattle + |
| Asian | 17.2% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| Hispanic | 8.2% | 16.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Seattle
$121,984
Sunnyvale
$181,862
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Income
Seattle
$82,508
Sunnyvale
$95,752
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Seattle
$76,120
Sunnyvale
$77,230
Sunnyvale +
Unemployment Rate
Seattle
4.2%
Sunnyvale
4.1%
Sunnyvale +
Poverty Rate
Seattle
9.9%
Sunnyvale
5.6%
Sunnyvale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Seattle
67.5%
Sunnyvale
69.2%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $121,984 | $181,862 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Income | $82,508 | $95,752 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $77,230 | Sunnyvale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.1% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.9% | 5.6% | Sunnyvale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 67.5% | 69.2% | Sunnyvale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Seattle
$871,599
Seattle +
Sunnyvale
$2,144,024
Homeownership Rate
Seattle
44.3%
Seattle +
Sunnyvale
43.8%
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $871,599 | $2,144,024 | Seattle + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 43.8% | Seattle + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Seattle
383
Seattle +
Sunnyvale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Seattle
3409
Sunnyvale
2388
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 503 | Seattle + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2388 | Sunnyvale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Seattle
22.2%
Sunnyvale
19.7%
Sunnyvale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Sunnyvale
8.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Seattle
15.3%
Sunnyvale
12.9%
Sunnyvale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Seattle
6.1%
Sunnyvale
5.2%
Sunnyvale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Seattle
19.0%
Sunnyvale
13.5%
Sunnyvale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
Sunnyvale
6.7%
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 19.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 8.3% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.3% | 12.9% | Sunnyvale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 5.2% | Sunnyvale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 13.5% | Sunnyvale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 6.7% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Seattle
52.6°F
Sunnyvale
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Seattle
37.5 in
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Sunnyvale
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Seattle
75.0%
Sunnyvale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Seattle
28.8 min
Sunnyvale
25.3 min
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.8 min | 25.3 min | Sunnyvale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sunnyvale leads in median household income at $181,862, while seattle offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $871,599. On public safety, Seattle 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 Seattle 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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