Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Rialto, CA
VS
Sunnyvale, CA
🏆 Sunnyvale leads 15 of 22 categories
Rialto
California
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
107.9⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$80,750
Violent Crime Index
169⚠ High
Population
103,873
Sunnyvale
California
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
112.9⚠ High
Median Household Income
$174,506 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
64 ✓ Safer
Population
154,573 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Rialto, CA
Pros
Homes cost $1262k less ($418,300 vs $1,680,700)
Rent averages $1437/mo less ($1,553 vs $2,990)
Milder winters — January highs near 70°F vs 59°F
5% cheaper overall cost of living than Sunnyvale
Cons
Median income trails Sunnyvale by $93,756/yr
Violent crime (641.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (9.3% vs 4.1%)
Longer commutes — 33.3 min average each way
Sunnyvale, CA
Pros
Households earn $93,756 more per year on average
62% less violent crime than Rialto
More college-educated — 68.0% hold a bachelor's or higher
Stronger job market — unemployment is 5.2 pts lower (4.1%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (244.5 vs 380/100k)
Commutes run 10 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)
Cost of living runs 5% higher than Rialto
Key Differences at a Glance
Rialto
Cost of Living
5% cheaper
COL index 107.9 vs 112.9 (100 = US avg)
Rialto
Median Home Value
$1262k less
$418,300 vs $1,680,700
Rialto
Summer Heat
17.2°F warmer
July avg high 94.1°F vs 76.9°F
Sunnyvale
Median Income
$93,756
$174,506 vs $80,750/yr
Sunnyvale
Violent Crime
62% lower
244.5 vs 641.7 per 100k
Sunnyvale
Unemployment
5.2 pp lower
4.1% vs 9.3% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Rialto, CA | Sunnyvale, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 107.9⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 112.9⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $418,300⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,680,700⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,553⚠ High ✓ Lower | $2,990⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $80,750 | $174,506 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.3%⚠ High | 4.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 33.3 min⚠ High | 23.6 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 6.4% | 24.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 147⚠ High | 75 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 169⚠ High | 64 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 114⚠ High | 91 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C (81) | A- (112) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 23.2:1 | 21.5:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 12.3% | 68.0% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 74.7% | 94.0% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Rialto Unified | Cupertino Union |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 69.5°F ✓ Warmer | 59.0°F |
| Avg High — July | 94.1°F ✓ Warmer | 76.9°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 17.3" | 13.4" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 103,873 | 154,573 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 31.2 | 35.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.9% ✓ Higher | 44.4% |
| Under 18 | 27.0% ✓ More | 19.9% |
| Over 65 | 9.8% | 12.5% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Rialto's cost of living index is 107.9 vs Sunnyvale's 112.9 (US average = 100).
Rialto is 5% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Sunnyvale leads 15 of 22 categories. Rialto wins 7 and Sunnyvale wins 15. 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 Rialto to Sunnyvale or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($418,300 vs $1,680,700 median home), income ($80,750 vs $174,506), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Rialto, CA and Sunnyvale, CA are about 344 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.