Sunnyvale CA vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Sunnyvale
153,455
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sunnyvale
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Sunnyvale
35.1
Washington
34.9
Washington +
Foreign Born
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
Washington
13.3%
White
Sunnyvale
30.4%
Washington
39.1%
Washington +
Black
Sunnyvale
1.5%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
Washington
4.1%
Hispanic
Sunnyvale
16.7%
Sunnyvale +
Washington
11.6%
Spanish at Home
Sunnyvale
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Sunnyvale, CA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 153,455 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 34.9 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 49.4% | 13.3% | Sunnyvale + |
| White | 30.4% | 39.1% | Washington + |
| Black | 1.5% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 49.4% | 4.1% | Sunnyvale + |
| Hispanic | 16.7% | 11.6% | Sunnyvale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sunnyvale
$181,862
Sunnyvale +
Washington
$106,287
Per Capita Income
Sunnyvale
$95,752
Sunnyvale +
Washington
$75,253
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sunnyvale
$77,230
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Sunnyvale
4.1%
Sunnyvale +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Sunnyvale
5.6%
Sunnyvale +
Washington
14.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sunnyvale
69.2%
Sunnyvale +
Washington
63.6%
| Metric | Sunnyvale, CA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $181,862 | $106,287 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Income | $95,752 | $75,253 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 6.5% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.6% | 14.5% | Sunnyvale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 69.2% | 63.6% | Sunnyvale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sunnyvale
$2,144,024
Washington
$580,173
Washington +
Homeownership Rate
Sunnyvale
43.8%
Sunnyvale +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Sunnyvale, CA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $2,144,024 | $580,173 | Washington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.8% | 41.1% | Sunnyvale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sunnyvale
503
Washington
398
Washington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sunnyvale
2388
Washington
1999
Washington +
| Metric | Sunnyvale, CA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 398 | Washington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1999 | Washington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sunnyvale
19.7%
Sunnyvale +
Washington
24.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sunnyvale
8.3%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sunnyvale
12.9%
Sunnyvale +
Washington
14.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sunnyvale
5.2%
Sunnyvale +
Washington
6.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sunnyvale
13.5%
Sunnyvale +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sunnyvale
6.7%
Sunnyvale +
Washington
9.7%
| Metric | Sunnyvale, CA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 24.6% | Sunnyvale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.9% | 14.6% | Sunnyvale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.2% | 6.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 24.0% | Sunnyvale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 9.7% | Sunnyvale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sunnyvale
N/A
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sunnyvale
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Sunnyvale, CA | Washington, DC | 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.)
Sunnyvale
7.9 µg/m³
Sunnyvale +
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sunnyvale
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Sunnyvale, CA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Sunnyvale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sunnyvale
25.3 min
Sunnyvale +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Sunnyvale, CA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 32.8 min | Sunnyvale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sunnyvale leads in median household income at $181,862, while washington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $580,173. On public safety, Washington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 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%.
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