Sunnyvale, CA Local Data & Statistics

State: CA

Total population: 154,236 Household income: $186,170 Rent: $3,039

Overview

Total population

154,236

Rent

$3,039

Year built

1976

Household income

$186,170

Per capita income

$101,185

Poverty rate

5.8%

Unemployment rate

3.3%

Household size

2.5 persons

Rent over 30% of income

33.8%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available, with the exception of the unemployment rate, which is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ACS 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Demographics

State

California

Total population

154,236

Adults over 25

114,360

Total households

60,293

Household size

2.5 persons

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Income & Poverty

Household income

$186,170

Per capita income

$101,185

Poverty rate

5.8%

Unemployment rate

3.3%

Rent over 30% of income

33.8%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Housing

Rent

$3,039

Year built

1976

Households that rent

56.2%

Households that own

43.8%

Rooms per home (all homes)

4.3

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Race

White

28.4%

Black

1.6%

Asian

49.6%

Two or more races

9.9%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Ethnicity

Hispanic or Latino

17%

Not Hispanic or Latino

83%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Commute

Commute rate

70.8%

Commute time to work

23 mins

Work from home

29.2%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Education

Less than high school

14.9%

High school graduate or GED

10%

Some college or associate degree

5.8%

Bachelor’s degree or higher

69.3%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Comparison of Sunnyvale, CA with: California United States

Sunnyvale, CA

Total population154,236

Rent$3,039

Year built1976

Household income$186,170

Per capita income$101,185

Poverty rate5.8%

Unemployment rate3.3%

California State

Total population39,287,377

Rent$2,036

Year built1976

Household income$99,122

Per capita income$49,513

Poverty rate12%

Unemployment rate5.3%

United States

Total population334,922,499

Rent$1,413

Year built1980

Household income$80,734

Per capita income$44,673

Poverty rate12.5%

Unemployment rate4%

Metric	CitySunnyvale, CA	StateCalifornia	CountryUnited States
Total population	154,236	39,287,377	334,922,499
Rent	$3,039	$2,036	$1,413
Year built	1976	1976	1980
Household income	$186,170	$99,122	$80,734
Per capita income	$101,185	$49,513	$44,673
Poverty rate	5.8%	12%	12.5%
Unemployment rate	3.3%	5.3%	4%

View the complete comparison of Sunnyvale, CA, California and United States →

Summary for Sunnyvale, CA

Sunnyvale is located in California.

Rent & Income

In Sunnyvale, the typical monthly rent is $3,039 and the typical household income is $186,170. Rent here is higher than in both California and the U.S., and household income is also higher than in both. The estimated poverty rate is 5.8%, which is lower than in both California and national.

Housing & Affordability

Renters make up about 56.2% of households, making this a predominantly renter area. Around 33.8% of renters are cost-burdened, indicating a moderate level of rent pressure.

Education & Employment

Educational attainment is very high, with about 69.3% of adults holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. The local unemployment rate is 3.3%, which is lower than both California and the national rate.

Sunnyvale, CA — Rent vs Household Income

Sunnyvale, CA — Poverty vs Unemployment

How Sunnyvale, CA compares in California (180 places)

Metric	This place	Rank	Starts from	Statewide range
Rent	$3,039	171 / 180	from lower rent	$1,148 – $3,501
Household income	$186,170	7 / 180	from higher income	$57,719 – $234,707
Poverty rate	5.8%	14 / 180	from lower poverty	4.1% – 26.5%
Unemployment rate	3.3%	3 / 180	from lower unemployment	2.9% – 18.2%

Rankings are calculated among cities and communities in California with total population > 50,000 (year 2024).

Detailed Ranking Explanation for Sunnyvale, CA

Rent

Rent prices put Sunnyvale in 171st place among 180 large communities in California. Across California, rents range from $1,148 in Porterville, CA up to $3,501 in Cupertino, CA.

Household income

Looking at household income, Sunnyvale places 7th out of 180 significant areas. Incomes across California range between $57,719 in Hemet, CA and $234,707 in Cupertino, CA.

Poverty rate

Looking at poverty, Sunnyvale ranks 14th out of 180 large places. Statewide poverty rates range from 4.1% in Cupertino, CA to 26.5% in Davis, CA.

Unemployment rate

Sunnyvale places 3rd among 180 large communities for unemployment. Statewide figures run from 2.9% to 18.2%.

💰 Rent in Sunnyvale, CA (with Utilities)

Estimated Monthly Rent: $3,039 ℹ️ What’s Included:
✅ Base rent, electricity, gas, water/sewer, and heating fuels
❌ Not included: internet, cable TV, renter's insurance, parking

💡 What does this rent estimate mean?

Explanation: This estimate shows what renters typically pay each month for housing, including the apartment or home and essential utilities such as heat, water, and electricity. Even when utilities are billed separately, an estimated average cost for utilities is included, in line with the U.S. Census Bureau’s (ACS) definition of gross rent.

Included in this number: Rent plus electricity, gas, water/sewer, and heating fuel.

Not included: Internet, cable, parking, renter’s insurance, or furniture rental.

Note: This cost does not depend on the number of people living in the home.

👨‍👧‍👦 Household Income in Sunnyvale, CA

Annual Household Income: $186,170

💡 What does Household Income mean?

Definition: This represents the middle value of all household incomes in this area — half of households earn less, and half earn more.

Includes: wages, salaries, self-employment income, Social Security, pensions, investments, unemployment, public assistance, and rental income.

Does NOT include: capital gains, non-cash benefits (like food stamps), or tax refunds.

Household = any group of people (or a single person) living in the same housing unit.

Example: A couple earning $40,000 and $30,000 together have a household income of $70,000. If that's in the middle of all local incomes, it's the value shown here.

📉 Poverty Rate in Sunnyvale, CA

Estimated Rate: 5.8%

💡 What does the Poverty Rate represent?

Definition: The percentage of people in this area living below the federal poverty threshold.

How it works: The threshold is a dollar amount set by the U.S. Census Bureau that varies by family size and age. If a household's income is below that level, everyone in it is included in this rate.

Example: In a town of 10,000 people, if 1,500 have incomes below the poverty line, the poverty rate is 15%.

Note: This statistic only includes people living in households; it does not count those in student housing, military barracks, or nursing homes.

🏘️ Renter vs. Owner Households in Sunnyvale, CA

In Sunnyvale, CA, households that rent: 33,905 (56.2%)

📊 What does the renter household percentage reveal about this area?

Household Type	Count	Share
Renter-Occupied	33,905	56.2%
Owner-Occupied	26,388	43.8%

Definition: This is the percentage of households that rent their home rather than own it. It includes only occupied housing units.

Why it matters: Areas with a high share of renter households often have younger populations, higher mobility, and different housing needs compared to mostly owner-occupied areas.

Example: If 65% of homes in an area are renter-occupied, it means 65 out of every 100 households rent their home.

📉 Renters Spending Over 30% of Income on Rent in Sunnyvale, CA

In Sunnyvale, CA, cost-burdened renters (households spending over 30% of income on housing): 11,450 (33.8%)

🏚️ What Does It Mean When Renters Spend Over 30% of Their Income on Housing?

Household Group	Households	Share
Cost-burdened renters (over 30%)	11,450	33.8%
Other renter households	22,455	66.2%
Total renter households	33,905	100%

Shares are calculated as a percentage of renter households.

This shows how many renters in this area are considered cost-burdened — meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on housing (rent and basic utilities).

It’s a sign that housing might be unaffordable in the area or that lower-income residents may be struggling with rent.

Data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.

📊 Education Levels in Sunnyvale, CA

Less than High School: 17,038 people (14.9%)

Includes adults who did not complete high school.

High School Graduate or GED: 11,392 people (10%)

Includes adults whose highest education is a high school diploma or GED.

Some College or Associate Degree: 6,626 people (5.8%)

Includes adults who attended college without completing a bachelor’s degree (some college or associate degree).

Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 79,304 people (69.3%)

Includes adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher (bachelor’s, master’s, professional, or doctoral degree).

👥 Total Adults (25+): 114,360

📊 Unemployment Rate in Sunnyvale, CA

Estimated Rate: 3.3%

💡 What does Unemployment Rate mean?

Definition: The unemployment rate is the percentage of people in the labor force who do not have a job but are actively looking for one.

Labor Force = Employed + Unemployed (aged 16+ and actively participating in the workforce).

Formula: (Unemployed ÷ Labor Force) × 100

Does NOT include: People who are retired, students not looking for work, homemakers, or otherwise not seeking employment.

Example: If there are 1000 people in the labor force and 80 are unemployed, then the unemployment rate is 8%.

Similar Population

Springfield, MA154,751 Kansas City, KS154,776 Hollywood, FL152,935 Roseville, CA152,438 Killeen, TX156,144 Lakewood, CO156,309 Charleston, SC152,014 Alexandria, VA156,788 Bellevue, WA151,199 Murfreesboro, TN157,547

ℹ️ Have questions about how these statistics are calculated? See our data methodology & FAQs

Source: ACS 5-Year Estimates (U.S. Census Bureau) — unemployment rate from BLS. Some values are derived metrics.