What is the median household income in Sunnyvale, CA?
The median household income in Sunnyvale, CA is $186,170 (±$5,402) a year (2020–2024 American Community Survey).
Paying the median gross rent of $3,039 a month would take about $121,600 a year at the common guideline of spending no more than 30% of income on rent.
In Sunnyvale, the median household income went from $140,631 in 2015–2019 to $186,170 in 2020–2024 (+32.4%).
Prices (CPI-U) rose 22.7% over the same years, so it rose faster than prices: a measurable increase after inflation.
Figures last updated on .
- Median household income
- $186,170 (±$5,402)
- Median renter income
- $167,364 (±$6,678)
- Income to afford median rent
- about $121,600
Income in Sunnyvale against Santa Clara County, its state and the nation
| Sunnyvale | Santa Clara County | California | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $186,170 (±$5,402) | $164,281 (±$1,955) | $99,122 (±$310) | $80,734 |
| Median renter household income | $167,364 (±$6,678) | $122,974 (±$2,206) | $71,186 (±$298) | $52,966 |
| Median owner household income | $225,311 (±$9,451) | $208,519 (±$2,856) | $127,456 (±$424) | $100,009 |
| Median gross rent | $3,039 (±$59) | $2,857 (±$19) | $2,036 (±$5) | $1,413 |
In Sunnyvale, median household income is higher than in Santa Clara County ($164,281).
It is also higher than in California ($99,122).
It is higher than the national figure ($80,734).
In Santa Clara County, Sunnyvale ranks 13 of 23 places with a published estimate, from highest to lowest median household income.
Statewide, it ranks 85 of 1,069.
Rankings use the estimates alone; where margins of error overlap, neighboring ranks may not truly differ.
How much you need to earn to rent in Sunnyvale
Many landlords and housing programs use 30% of gross income as the most a household should spend on rent.
At that guideline, the median gross rent of $3,039 a month ($36,468 a year) needs an income of about $121,600 a year.
The median renting household in Sunnyvale earns $167,364 a year.
This is arithmetic on the published medians, not a rule any landlord must follow; screening criteria vary and some places limit how income may be weighed.
Income against housing costs since 2015–2019
| 2015–2019 | 2020–2024 | Amount of change | Verdict | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $140,631 (±$2,900) | $186,170 (±$5,402) | +32.4% | Up after inflation |
| Median gross rent | $2,508 (±$37) | $3,039 (±$59) | +21.2% | No measurable change after inflation |
| Median home value | $1,223,600 (±$23,778) | $1,801,800 (±$63,317) | +47.3% | Up after inflation |
The Census Bureau publishes 2015–2019 dollars in 2019 dollars and 2020–2024 dollars in 2024 dollars.
Prices (the CPI-U, US Bureau of Labor Statistics) rose 22.7% between 2019 and 2024, so a dollar figure’s verdict compares the two after raising the earlier one by that much, using the Census Bureau’s test for a difference.
The two periods do not overlap, as the Census Bureau recommends for 5-year estimates.
Median household income in places near Sunnyvale
| Place | Distance | Median household income | Compared with this place |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunnyvale | — | $186,170 (±$5,402) | — |
| Mountain View | 3.1 mi | $189,917 (±$10,319) | Not measurably different |
| Santa Clara | 3.5 mi | $178,958 (±$8,034) | Not measurably different |
| Los Altos | 4.0 mi | $250,000 or more | — |
| Loyola | 4.6 mi | $250,000 or more | — |
| Cupertino | 4.7 mi | $234,707 (±$12,596) | Higher |
| Los Altos Hills | 6.3 mi | $250,000 or more | — |
| Palo Alto | 6.5 mi | $231,101 (±$9,859) | Higher |
| Burbank (community) | 6.9 mi | $134,518 (±$28,053) | Lower |
Nearby places with a measurably lower figure: Burbank (community), CA ($134,518).
Nearby places with a measurably higher figure: Cupertino, CA ($234,707), Palo Alto, CA ($231,101).
Distance is measured in a straight line between the Census Bureau’s internal points for each place.
Median household income across Santa Clara County, place by place
| Rank | Place | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Cupertino | $234,707 (±$12,596) |
| 8 | Palo Alto | $231,101 (±$9,859) |
| 9 | Los Gatos | $217,554 (±$14,059) |
| 10 | East Foothills | $199,375 (±$17,693) |
| 11 | Cambrian Park | $192,731 (±$28,429) |
| 12 | Mountain View | $189,917 (±$10,319) |
| 13 | Sunnyvale | $186,170 (±$5,402) |
| 14 | Santa Clara | $178,958 (±$8,034) |
| 15 | Milpitas | $178,798 (±$10,931) |
| 16 | Morgan Hill | $163,920 (±$8,235) |
| 17 | San Martin | $158,250 (±$25,838) |
| 18 | San Jose | $146,427 (±$2,140) |
| 19 | Campbell | $145,268 (±$8,146) |
Showing 13 of 23 places in Santa Clara County, ranked from highest to lowest.
Survey years: 2020–2024 (American Community Survey 5-year estimates), compared with 2015–2019.
Margins of error are at the 90% confidence level.
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Questions about Sunnyvale
What is the median household income in Sunnyvale?
The median household income in Sunnyvale is $186,170 (±$5,402) a year (2020–2024 American Community Survey).
How much do you need to make to afford rent in Sunnyvale?
About $121,600 a year, if rent is to stay at or below 30% of income at the median gross rent of $3,039 a month.
Have incomes in Sunnyvale kept up with inflation?
In Sunnyvale, the median household income went from $140,631 in 2015–2019 to $186,170 in 2020–2024 (+32.4%).
Prices (CPI-U) rose 22.7% over the same years, so it rose faster than prices: a measurable increase after inflation.
What do renters earn in Sunnyvale?
The median renting household in Sunnyvale, CA earns $167,364 (±$6,678) a year.
Sources
- Selected Economic Characteristics (DP03), 2020–2024 ACS 5-year estimates — Sunnyvale city, California
- Median Household Income by Tenure (B25119), 2020–2024 ACS 5-year estimates — Sunnyvale city, California
- Selected Housing Characteristics (DP04), 2020–2024 ACS 5-year estimates — Sunnyvale city, California
- Median Household Income (B19013), 2015–2019 ACS 5-year estimates — Sunnyvale city, California
- Median Gross Rent (B25064), 2015–2019 ACS 5-year estimates — Sunnyvale city, California
- Median Value (B25077), 2015–2019 ACS 5-year estimates — Sunnyvale city, California
- Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U), US city average, all items, US Bureau of Labor Statistics: annual averages 2019 and 2024
To check these figures in the Census Bureau’s own API, request the variables below from the 2024 ACS 5-year data profile (acs/acs5/profile) and detailed tables (acs/acs5) for Sunnyvale city, California (place:77000, in state:06).
Each estimate (E or PE) has a margin of error beside it (M or PM).
The 2015–2019 figures are B19013_001E, B19013_001M, B25064_001E, B25064_001M, B25077_001E, B25077_001M from the 2019 release.
The API needs a free key.
DP03_0062E, DP03_0062M, B25119_003E, B25119_003M, B25119_002E, B25119_002M, DP04_0134E, DP04_0134M
This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.
Figures are published by the US Census Bureau, HUD, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the FBI; Seayora reproduces them and does not adjust them, except where a sentence says it compares dollar figures after inflation. They describe the whole place, not any one building or street, and are not an appraisal, a rent determination, a tax bill, a safety rating or legal advice.
Figures last updated on .
Related
- Housing in Sunnyvale at a glance
- Median rent in Sunnyvale
- Rent by bedrooms in Sunnyvale
- Rent burden in Sunnyvale
- Renters and owners in Sunnyvale
- Home values in Sunnyvale
- Homeowner costs in Sunnyvale
- Property taxes in Sunnyvale
- Types of homes in Sunnyvale
- Bedrooms in Sunnyvale
- Age of homes in Sunnyvale
- Vacancy rate in Sunnyvale
- Heating fuel in Sunnyvale
- Commute and cars in Sunnyvale
- Crime reported to police in Sunnyvale
- Population growth in Sunnyvale
- How long people stay in Sunnyvale
- Crowding and facilities in Sunnyvale
- Fair Market Rent in Sunnyvale
- California landlord and tenant rules
- Housing across Santa Clara County
- California places ranked by median household income
- Housing data for every place in California