Sunnyvale CA vs Tucson AZ — 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sunnyvale
153,455
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sunnyvale
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Sunnyvale
35.1
Tucson
34.6
Tucson +
Foreign Born
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
Tucson
13.7%
White
Sunnyvale
30.4%
Tucson
58.2%
Tucson +
Black
Sunnyvale
1.5%
Tucson
5.0%
Tucson +
Asian
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
Tucson
3.1%
Hispanic
Sunnyvale
16.7%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
Sunnyvale
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Sunnyvale, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 153,455 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 34.6 | Tucson + |
| Foreign Born | 49.4% | 13.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| White | 30.4% | 58.2% | Tucson + |
| Black | 1.5% | 5.0% | Tucson + |
| Asian | 49.4% | 3.1% | Sunnyvale + |
| Hispanic | 16.7% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sunnyvale
$181,862
Sunnyvale +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Sunnyvale
$95,752
Sunnyvale +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sunnyvale
$77,230
Sunnyvale +
Tucson
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Sunnyvale
4.1%
Sunnyvale +
Tucson
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Sunnyvale
5.6%
Sunnyvale +
Tucson
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sunnyvale
69.2%
Sunnyvale +
Tucson
30.2%
| Metric | Sunnyvale, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $181,862 | $54,546 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Income | $95,752 | $31,152 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Sunnyvale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 6.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.6% | 18.8% | Sunnyvale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 69.2% | 30.2% | Sunnyvale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sunnyvale
$2,144,024
Tucson
$324,946
Tucson +
Homeownership Rate
Sunnyvale
43.8%
Tucson
51.7%
Tucson +
| Metric | Sunnyvale, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $2,144,024 | $324,946 | Tucson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.8% | 51.7% | Tucson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sunnyvale
503
Tucson
450
Tucson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sunnyvale
2388
Tucson
2150
Tucson +
| Metric | Sunnyvale, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 450 | Tucson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2150 | Tucson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sunnyvale
19.7%
Sunnyvale +
Tucson
33.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sunnyvale
8.3%
Sunnyvale +
Tucson
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sunnyvale
12.9%
Sunnyvale +
Tucson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sunnyvale
5.2%
Sunnyvale +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sunnyvale
13.5%
Sunnyvale +
Tucson
14.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sunnyvale
6.7%
Sunnyvale +
Tucson
12.5%
| Metric | Sunnyvale, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 33.5% | Sunnyvale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 11.5% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.9% | 18.3% | Sunnyvale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.2% | 15.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 14.6% | Sunnyvale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 12.5% | Sunnyvale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sunnyvale
N/A
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sunnyvale
N/A
Tucson
12.2 in
| Metric | Sunnyvale, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 69.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 12.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Sunnyvale
7.9 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sunnyvale
75.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Sunnyvale, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sunnyvale
25.3 min
Tucson
23.9 min
Tucson +
| Metric | Sunnyvale, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 23.9 min | Tucson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sunnyvale leads in median household income at $181,862, while tucson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,946. On public safety, Tucson is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Sunnyvale. Sunnyvale has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sunnyvale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.7%.
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