St. Louis MO 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)
St. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
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
St. Louis
293,109
St. Louis +
Sunnyvale
153,455
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
St. Louis
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
Median Age
St. Louis
36.6
Sunnyvale
35.1
Sunnyvale +
Foreign Born
St. Louis
6.6%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
White
St. Louis
45.7%
St. Louis +
Sunnyvale
30.4%
Black
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Sunnyvale
1.5%
Asian
St. Louis
3.4%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
Hispanic
St. Louis
5.1%
Sunnyvale
16.7%
Sunnyvale +
Spanish at Home
St. Louis
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 293,109 | 153,455 | St. Louis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 35.1 | Sunnyvale + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| White | 45.7% | 30.4% | St. Louis + |
| Black | 43.1% | 1.5% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 16.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
St. Louis
$55,279
Sunnyvale
$181,862
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Income
St. Louis
$38,947
Sunnyvale
$95,752
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
St. Louis
$58,527
Sunnyvale
$77,230
Sunnyvale +
Unemployment Rate
St. Louis
5.1%
Sunnyvale
4.1%
Sunnyvale +
Poverty Rate
St. Louis
19.8%
Sunnyvale
5.6%
Sunnyvale +
Bachelor's Degree+
St. Louis
40.2%
Sunnyvale
69.2%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,279 | $181,862 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,947 | $95,752 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $77,230 | Sunnyvale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.1% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.8% | 5.6% | Sunnyvale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.2% | 69.2% | Sunnyvale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Sunnyvale
$2,144,024
Homeownership Rate
St. Louis
45.4%
St. Louis +
Sunnyvale
43.8%
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $185,100 | $2,144,024 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.4% | 43.8% | St. Louis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. Louis
501
St. Louis +
Sunnyvale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. Louis
2418
Sunnyvale
2388
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 503 | St. Louis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2388 | Sunnyvale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
36.8%
Sunnyvale
19.7%
Sunnyvale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
13.2%
Sunnyvale
8.3%
Sunnyvale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
St. Louis
18.8%
Sunnyvale
12.9%
Sunnyvale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
9.4%
Sunnyvale
5.2%
Sunnyvale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
17.9%
Sunnyvale
13.5%
Sunnyvale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
16.8%
Sunnyvale
6.7%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 19.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 8.3% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 12.9% | Sunnyvale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 5.2% | Sunnyvale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.9% | 13.5% | Sunnyvale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 6.7% | Sunnyvale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. Louis
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. Louis
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | 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.)
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
Sunnyvale
7.9 µg/m³
Sunnyvale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
St. Louis
55.0%
Sunnyvale
75.0%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Sunnyvale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Sunnyvale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
St. Louis
24.0 min
St. Louis +
Sunnyvale
25.3 min
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.0 min | 25.3 min | St. Louis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sunnyvale leads in median household income at $181,862, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, St. Louis is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 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%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs St. Louis, MOLos Angeles, CA vs St. Louis, MOChicago, IL vs St. Louis, MOHouston, TX vs St. Louis, MOPhoenix, AZ vs St. Louis, MOPhiladelphia, PA vs St. Louis, MO