Sunnyvale CA vs Tacoma WA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Sunnyvale, CA
California · Population: 153,455
- Median HH Income$181,862
- Median Home Price$2,144,024
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+69.2%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sunnyvale
153,455
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sunnyvale
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Sunnyvale
35.1
Sunnyvale +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
Tacoma
12.2%
White
Sunnyvale
30.4%
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Black
Sunnyvale
1.5%
Tacoma
10.5%
Tacoma +
Asian
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
Tacoma
8.8%
Hispanic
Sunnyvale
16.7%
Sunnyvale +
Tacoma
13.1%
Spanish at Home
Sunnyvale
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Sunnyvale, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 153,455 | 220,482 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 37.3 | Sunnyvale + |
| Foreign Born | 49.4% | 12.2% | Sunnyvale + |
| White | 30.4% | 59.4% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 1.5% | 10.5% | Tacoma + |
| Asian | 49.4% | 8.8% | Sunnyvale + |
| Hispanic | 16.7% | 13.1% | Sunnyvale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sunnyvale
$181,862
Sunnyvale +
Tacoma
$83,857
Per Capita Income
Sunnyvale
$95,752
Sunnyvale +
Tacoma
$44,756
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sunnyvale
$77,230
Sunnyvale +
Tacoma
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Sunnyvale
4.1%
Sunnyvale +
Tacoma
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Sunnyvale
5.6%
Sunnyvale +
Tacoma
12.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sunnyvale
69.2%
Sunnyvale +
Tacoma
33.5%
| Metric | Sunnyvale, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $181,862 | $83,857 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Income | $95,752 | $44,756 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | Sunnyvale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 5.3% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.6% | 12.0% | Sunnyvale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 69.2% | 33.5% | Sunnyvale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sunnyvale
$2,144,024
Tacoma
$496,966
Tacoma +
Homeownership Rate
Sunnyvale
43.8%
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Sunnyvale, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $2,144,024 | $496,966 | Tacoma + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.8% | 56.5% | Tacoma + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sunnyvale
503
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sunnyvale
2388
Sunnyvale +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Sunnyvale, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | Sunnyvale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sunnyvale
19.7%
Sunnyvale +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sunnyvale
8.3%
Sunnyvale +
Tacoma
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sunnyvale
12.9%
Sunnyvale +
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sunnyvale
5.2%
Sunnyvale +
Tacoma
9.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sunnyvale
13.5%
Sunnyvale +
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sunnyvale
6.7%
Sunnyvale +
Tacoma
11.9%
| Metric | Sunnyvale, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 37.3% | Sunnyvale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 10.9% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.9% | 18.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.2% | 9.3% | Sunnyvale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 16.8% | Sunnyvale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 11.9% | Sunnyvale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sunnyvale
N/A
Tacoma
53.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sunnyvale
N/A
Tacoma
39.2 in
| Metric | Sunnyvale, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 39.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Sunnyvale
7.9 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sunnyvale
75.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Sunnyvale, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sunnyvale
25.3 min
Sunnyvale +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Sunnyvale, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 31.1 min | Sunnyvale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sunnyvale leads in median household income at $181,862, while tacoma offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $496,966. On public safety, Tacoma 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 Tacoma 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%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Sunnyvale, CALos Angeles, CA vs Sunnyvale, CAChicago, IL vs Sunnyvale, CAHouston, TX vs Sunnyvale, CAPhoenix, AZ vs Sunnyvale, CAPhiladelphia, PA vs Sunnyvale, CA