Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Anaheim, CA
VS
Sunnyvale, CA
🏆 Sunnyvale leads 14 of 22 categories
Anaheim
California
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$88,538
Violent Crime Index
157⚠ High
Population
347,111 ✓ Larger
Sunnyvale
California
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
112.9⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$174,506 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
64 ✓ Safer
Population
154,573
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Anaheim, CA
Pros
Homes cost $967k less ($713,600 vs $1,680,700)
Rent averages $1032/mo less ($1,958 vs $2,990)
Milder winters — January highs near 71°F vs 59°F
Cons
Median income trails Sunnyvale by $85,968/yr
Violent crime (596.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 115.5)
Higher unemployment (5.4% vs 4.1%)
Sunnyvale, CA
Pros
Households earn $85,968 more per year on average
59% less violent crime than Anaheim
More college-educated — 68.0% hold a bachelor's or higher
Violent crime is well below the national average (244.5 vs 380/100k)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.3 pts lower (4.1%)
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $1,680,700
Higher rents — median is $2,990/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 112.9)
Key Differences at a Glance
Anaheim
Median Home Value
$967k less
$713,600 vs $1,680,700
Anaheim
Summer Heat
9.9°F warmer
July avg high 86.8°F vs 76.9°F
Sunnyvale
Cost of Living
3% cheaper
COL index 112.9 vs 115.5 (100 = US avg)
Sunnyvale
Median Income
$85,968
$174,506 vs $88,538/yr
Sunnyvale
Violent Crime
59% lower
244.5 vs 596.2 per 100k
Sunnyvale
Unemployment
1.3 pp lower
4.1% vs 5.4% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Sunnyvale, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 115.5⚠ High | 112.9⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $713,600⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,680,700⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,958⚠ High ✓ Lower | $2,990⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $88,538 | $174,506 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4%⚠ High | 4.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 28.4 min⚠ High | 23.6 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 7.8% | 24.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 135⚠ High | 75 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 157⚠ High | 64 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 102⚠ High | 91 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C- (74) | A- (112) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 23.0:1 | 21.5:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 28.1% | 68.0% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 77.8% | 94.0% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Anaheim Elementary | Cupertino Union |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 71.0°F ✓ Warmer | 59.0°F |
| Avg High — July | 86.8°F ✓ Warmer | 76.9°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 14.2" | 13.4" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 347,111 ✓ Larger | 154,573 |
| Median Age | 35.4 ✓ Older | 35.1 |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% ✓ Higher | 44.4% |
| Under 18 | 22.9% ✓ More | 19.9% |
| Over 65 | 12.2% | 12.5% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Anaheim's cost of living index is 115.5 vs Sunnyvale's 112.9 (US average = 100).
Sunnyvale is 3% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Sunnyvale leads 14 of 22 categories. Anaheim wins 8 and Sunnyvale wins 14. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Anaheim to Sunnyvale or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($713,600 vs $1,680,700 median home), income ($88,538 vs $174,506), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Anaheim, CA and Sunnyvale, CA are about 342 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.