Does it seem like the “city of destiny,” Sunnyvale, is calling you to try your luck there? If so, read our blog post to determine if moving to Sunnyvale, California, will fit you well!
Formerly known as the “City of Murfy”, after a wheat farmer named Martin Murphy bought the land in 1850, the city developed into a fruit processing center in 1912 and got named Sunnyvale. It became a high-tech hub after the creation of transistors and computer chips in the 1950s, thus earning the nickname Silicon Valley.
Today, Sunnyvale is the hub of the evolution of the Bay Area from agriculture to Technology. The city is the hometown of the video game industry, Atari Headquarters, a fictional computer game company, LinkedIn, Trimble, R&D companies, local businesses, merchants, restaurants, and more.
As you proceed, you will learn more about relocating to Sunnyvale, CA, its people, cultural activities, and other vital details.
Quick Facts Before Moving To Sunnyvale, California
Where Is Sunnyvale, CA, located?
Sunnyvale, California, is a city in northwest Santa Clara County, along El Camino Real and Highway 101.
San Jose borders it to the north, Moffett Federal Airfield and NASA Ames Research Center to the northwest, and is close to Mountain View, Los Altos, Cupertino, and Santa Clara.
Population In Sunnyvale, CA
The population of Sunnyvale, California, as of 2023, is estimated at 145,302, showing a decline of -2.31% annually.
The city has a median age of 35.2 years, and approximately 47% of its residents are foreign-born, one of the highest percentages in the country.
Approximately 47% of Sunnyvale’s population are foreign-born, a notably high percentage in the U.S.
Sunnyvale has an Asian-majority population, with the Asian Indian group being the fastest-growing.
Diversity In Sunnyvale, CA
Sunnyvale, CA, is highly diverse, scoring 96 out of 100, signifying greater diversity than many U.S. cities. The racial composition of Sunnyvale, CA, comprises of:
- Asians: 52.4%
- White: 27.0%
- Hispanic: 14.3%
- Black: 1.1%.
Cost Of Living In Sunnyvale, CA
Sunnyvale, California, has a much higher cost of living than the national average, with a cost of living index that is 131% higher than the U.S. average. Sunnyvale’s cost of living stats are stated below:
- Housing is the main reason for Sunnyvale’s high cost of living, which is 377% higher than the national average, followed by utility prices at 9% higher, transportation expenses at 24% higher, grocery prices at 43% higher, and healthcare at 33% higher than the US average.
- The median household income in Sunnyvale is $174,506 per annum.
- To live comfortably in Sunnyvale, it’s recommended to have a minimum annual income of $337,680 for a family and $110,800 for a single person.
- A good salary in Sunnyvale is anything over $115,435, considering the cost of living is 104% higher than the national average.
- The average cost of living in Sunnyvale, CA, is $3176 per month, ranking it #61 out of 2202 in the US as the most costliest cities in the world.
Here is a table summarizing the cost of living in Sunnyvale, CA:
| Cost of Living Categories | Sunnyvale, CA | National Average |
| Overall Cost of Living Index | 231 | 100 |
| Housing | 387% higher than the national average | 100 |
| Utilities | 130% of the national average | 100 |
| Transportation | 134% of the national average | 100 |
| Groceries | 130% of the national average | 100 |
| Healthcare | 128% of the national average | 100 |
Housing Market In Sunnyvale, CA
The average home cost in Sunnyvale, CA, is approximately $1.7 million, showing a 14.8% decrease from the previous year. Learn the housing and rental stats of the city before moving to Sunnyvale, CA.
- The median home value in Sunnyvale is $1,875,596, with a homeownership rate of 44.4%.
- The median list price per square foot is $1,106.
- For rentals, the average home rental price in Sunnyvale is $3,070, and the median rent for all bedrooms and property types is $3,131.
- About 54.6% of the population in Sunnyvale rents, as the homeownership rate is 45.4%.
The average rental prices in Sunnyvale, CA are s
- The average rent for an apartment is $3,070.
- Studio apartment average rent range: $1,735 to $4,164.
- 1-bedroom apartment average rent range: $2,142 to $4,156.
- 3-bedroom house average rent is approximately $4,300 or in a range of $2,200 to $6,200.
Job Market In Sunnyvale, CA
If you’re moving to Sunnyvale, CA, for a job, you’re in luck. The city is expected to experience strong job growth of 41.4% over the next decade, surpassing the national average of 33.5%.
Sunnyvale’s job market has expanded by 2.5% in the past year, reflecting a positive employment trend.
- The unemployment rate in Sunnyvale, CA, as of October 2023, is 3.8%.
- The average salary in Sunnyvale is $274,000, with salaries ranging from $205,000 to $765,000 per year.
- Sunnyvale’s average annual household income is $209,785, with the median household income reported as $165,814.
- For males in Sunnyvale, the median earnings are $102,964, while for females, it’s $62,246.
Top Employers In Sunnyvale, CA
- Intuitive Surgical
- Amazon hub counter
- Proofpoint
- Walmart
- Microsoft
- Trimble
- Fortinet
- Cepheid
Most Common Job Titles In Sunnyvale, CA
- Senior software engineer
- Software engineer
- Quality assurance engineer
- Cashier
Highest Paying Jobs In Sunnyvale, CA
- Surgeon
- Computer systems manager
- Lawyer
- Airline pilot
- Nurse practitioner
- Dentist
- Natural sciences manager
Is It Safe To Live In Sunnyvale, CA?
If living in a safe city in California is your concern, moving to Sunnyvale, CA, will be the right decision. Sunnyvale falls in the 33rd percentile for safety, signifying it is safer than 67% of cities but riskier than 33%, based on safety rankings.
- Crime rates in Sunnyvale, California, surpass the national average but are below average for similarly sized U.S. cities, with a 1 in 42 chance of being a victim of either violent or property crime.
- Predominantly, property crime takes the lead with a rate of 2,456.7 incidents per 100,000 residents, encompassing burglary, theft, and motor vehicle theft.
- Violent crimes are less frequent, with a rate of 219.2 incidents per 100,000 residents, including assault, robbery, rape, and no reported murders.
- Crime rates within Sunnyvale can differ, presenting a chance of 1 in 42 in specific neighborhoods and 1 in 659 in others.
Safest Neighborhoods In Sunnyvale, CA
- Wrightmont Corner
- West Valley
- Birdland Neighbors / Ray Nor
- Ortega
- Fairbrae / Remington Estates
- Cumberland South / Cherry
- Birdland
- The Heritage District
- Sunnyvale West
- South Los Altos
How Fast Can You Commute In Sunnyvale, CA
The average one-way commute time in Sunnyvale, California, is around 24.4 minutes, shorter than the national average of 26.4 minutes.
Most residents in Sunnyvale drive alone to work at a rate of 61.6%, followed by working from home by 19.6% and carpooling by 9.09%.
The city is actively working to increase the percentage of commuters who bike to work, aiming to raise this share from 1.5% in 2017 to 5% by 2030.
Sunnyvale has introduced a shared electric scooter program to enhance transportation options.
Available Public Transportation in Sunnyvale, CA:
- Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) offers light rail and bus services. The VTA’s transit system is widely used, catering to hundreds of passengers daily.
- The Sunnyvale Transit Center is vital to the city’s public transportation infrastructure, providing commuters with amenities like parking and bicycle lockers.
- Caltrain’s commuter rail system serves Sunnyvale, offering efficient transportation within Silicon Valley and to San Francisco.
- Sunnyvale has numerous bus stops and light rail stations, including Washington & Charles (E), Sunnyvale-Saratoga & El Camino (N), and El Camino & Sunnyvale (W).
How Is The Weather In Sunnyvale, CA?
Sunnyvale has two main seasons: a warm season from June to October, with high temperatures above 73°F, and a winter season from November to February, with high temperatures below 61°F.
The city has a Mediterranean climate, featuring long, warm, dry summers and short, cold, wet winters. Temperatures range from 44°F to 77°F, rarely going below 36°F or above 87°F.
- Sunnyvale receives an average of 15 inches of rain annually.
- Sunnyvale enjoys around 260 sunny days each year.
- August is the hottest month, with an average high of 76°F and a low of 60°F.
- December is the coldest month, with an average low of 45°F and a high of 59°F.
- The best times to visit Sunnyvale, CA, are spring, summer, and fall.
How Much Are The Taxes In Sunnyvale, CA?
After moving to Sunnyvale, CA, you have to pay the following taxes listed below:
- Sales tax: 9.13%
- Income tax: 1%-12.3% for single and married filers.
- Property tax: 1.28%-1.31% of assessed value
Education System In Sunnyvale, CA,
Sunnyvale has a total of 40 schools, including 20 public schools and 20 private schools.
Top-ranked public schools in Sunnyvale contribute to an average ranking of 10/10, placing them in the top 10% of California public schools.
- Tuition costs in Sunnyvale differ based on the type of institution. For example, Sunnyvale Christian School, a private institution, charges $11,115 for the highest grade offered.
- The Stratford School in Washington Park, another private institution, has an annual tuition of $24,539 for elementary school (1st-5th grade).
- For preschool education at the same institution, tuition ranges from $21,541 for ten months to $25,965 for twelve months.
- Student-teacher ratios vary across schools, with Sunnyvale Christian School at 4:1, while the city’s average student-teacher ratio is 20:1.
Best Middle Schools In Sunnyvale, CA
- Summit Public School: Denali
- Cupertino Middle School
- Columbia Middle School
- Marian A. Peterson Middle School
- Sunnyvale Middle School
Best Elementary Schools In Sunnyvale, CA
- Cumberland Elementary
- Cherry Chase Elementary
- Ellis Elementary
- West Valley Elementary
- Louis E. Stocklmeir Elementary
- Braly Elementary
Best High Schools In Sunnyvale, CA
- Fremont High School
- Summit Public School: Denali
- The King’s Academy
- Homestead High School
- Silicon Valley Academy
Best Universities And Colleges In Sunnyvale, CA
- Carnegie Mellon University
- Santa Clara University
- De Anza College
- University of East-West Medicine
- Mission College
What Are The Best Things To Do In Sunnyvale, CA
The famous attractions and things to see in Sunnyvale, CA, are:
- Explore the lively Sunnyvale Farmers Market for fresh produce, baked goods, and local finds.
- Stroll down Murphy Avenue, a famous street filled with restaurants, bars, and shops.
- Visit the Sunnyvale Hindu Temple & Community Center for a cultural and religious experience.
- Enjoy picnics and outdoor activities at the beautiful Las Palmas Park.
- Experience nature walks and bird watching at Baylands Park, a large park with walking trails and picnic areas.
- Take a short drive to Cupertino for wine tasting at the scenic Picchetti.
- Dive into the history of computers and technology at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View.
- Have a blast at Sunnyvale Golfland USA, featuring mini-golf, arcade games, and water slides.
- Explore the cosmos at the Fujitsu Planetarium, the largest school planetarium in the western United States.
- Discover the art of lace making at The Lace Museum, a unique preservation space.
- Celebrate Sunnyvale’s agricultural past at Orchard Heritage Park, a 10-acre park with an orchard and museum.
- Admire Libby’s Water Tower, a historic local landmark.
- Shop for unusual and hard-to-find tech items at the quirky WeirdStuff Warehouse.
Best Neighborhoods In Sunnyvale, CA
The best places to live in Sunnyvale, CA, are:
- Cherry Chase
- Heritage District
- Ponderosa Park
- Sunnyvale West
- Birdland
- Serra Park & Belleville
- Fairbrae & Las Palmas
- Washington Park
- West Valley
Pros And Cons Of Living In Sunnyvale, CA
Here is a table summarizing the pros and cons of living in Sunnyvale, CA :
| Pros of Living in Sunnyvale | Cons of Living in Sunnyvale |
| Low crime rate and safe communities | High cost of living, approximately 200% higher than the national average |
| Pleasant weather with an average of 260 sunny days per year | Traffic congestion due to rapid urbanization |
| The abundance of available jobs and strong tech industry presence | High housing costs |
Final verdict
If you decide to move to California, hold your head high and settle down in Sunnyvale confidently and confidently. Sunnyvale, without a doubt, is the place to be. With its low crime rate, abundant jobs, great weather, excellent education system, and endless things to do, Sunnyvale is the perfect place to call home for raising a family.
Putting aside the higher housing and living costs, if the city is a good fit for you and your budget, pack your bags and have a great move to Sunnyvale, CA!
Photo Credit: Ed Schipul