salaryRent here is among the highest 10% in the country. Household incomes are higher than in 97% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 9.0 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Most households rent (56%), so there are plenty of rental options. It is a highly educated city: 69.3% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $126,320 a year. That is $61 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other California cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of California. It is number 534 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Sunnyvale?
Share of households by yearly income. 65.6% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Sunnyvale
| Size | Sunnyvale | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,440 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,897 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $3,466 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,500+ | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,500+ | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Sunnyvale overall?
Everyday prices in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara metro area are 10% above the U.S. average (index 110.4, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Sunnyvale
Life in Sunnyvale
What jobs pay in Sunnyvale
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | $301,320 | 12.6% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $231,560 | 16.4% |
| Physician Assistant | $223,640 | 16.9% |
| Registered Nurse | $216,740 | 17.5% |
| Software Developer | $213,110 | 17.8% |
| Pharmacist | $199,040 | 19.0% |
| Operations Manager | $163,860 | 23.1% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $157,140 | 24.1% |
| Firefighter | $152,100 | 24.9% |
| Market Research Analyst | $141,960 | 26.7% |
| Dental Hygienist | $139,990 | 27.1% |
| Police Officer | $136,140 | 27.8% |
| Civil Engineer | $130,280 | 29.1% |
| Accountant | $121,700 | 31.1% |
| Plumber | $107,560 | 35.2% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $102,860 | 36.8% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $95,320 | 39.8% |
| Electrician | $91,030 | 41.6% |
| HVAC Technician | $82,050 | 46.2% |
| Carpenter | $80,190 | 47.3% |
| Truck Driver | $70,730 | 53.6% |
| Medical Assistant | $61,940 | 61.2% |
| Customer Service Representative | $60,480 | 62.7% |
| Nursing Assistant | $56,840 | 66.7% |
| Restaurant Cook | $47,170 | 80.3% |
| Warehouse Worker | $47,060 | 80.5% |
| Retail Salesperson | $44,220 | 85.7% |
| Cashier | $42,960 | 88.2% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $41,920 | 90.4% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Sunnyvale?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $9,344 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $1,801,800 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $180,180 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Sunnyvale, CA?
Renting in Sunnyvale costs a median of about $3,158 a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in Sunnyvale?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $126,320 a year, or $61 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Sunnyvale cheap or expensive?
Sunnyvale is rated Cheap: rent takes 18.9% of the typical household income of $200,784. It ranks 534th cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Sunnyvale?
The median homeowner in Sunnyvale pays $9,220 a year in property taxes, about 0.51% of the median home value.
Is Sunnyvale more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 10% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Sunnyvale?
The median home value in Sunnyvale is $1,801,800, about 9.0 times the typical yearly household income.
154,236 people live in Sunnyvale. Numbers are typical (middle) values.