The beautiful and affluent city of Sunnyvale, CA is located about 12 miles northwest of San Jose and 48 miles southeast of downtown San Francisco. It is bordered by Cupertino, Fremont, Los Altos, Mountain View, San Jose, Santa Clara, East Palo Alto, Milpitas, Newark, Palo Alto, Saratoga, and Los Altos Hills.
The area now known as Sunnyvale was originally part of San Jose until it was given to Francisco Estrada in 1843. At that point, it was called Rancho Pastoria de las Borregas until the area was renamed Sunnyvale in March 1901. It was officially incorporated as a city on December 24, 1912.
Sunnyvale is known for being part of the Silicon Valley tech area and as the birthplace of the video game industry as it was once the headquarters of Atari.
A few of the most notable people who have lived in Sunnyvale include Donald Duck’s voice actor Tony Anselmo, actress Teri Hatcher, Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, and YouTuber Mark Rober.
As you learn what you need to know before moving to Sunnyvale, you’ll find interesting facts about the city’s people, culture, local activities, and other key details.
Table of Contents
1. People of Sunnyvale, CA – Population & Demographics
How many people live in Sunnyvale? The city has grown significantly since the 1950s with more than 140,000 newcomers relocating to Sunnyvale from then until now. The current Sunnyvale population is 152,710 residents with a median age of 36 years old.
You’ll find Sunnyvale demographics are highly diverse as the city is made up of about 44% Asian, 31% Caucasian, 18% Hispanic or Latino, and 1% Black or African American. The local ancestry is also unique with about 19% Indian, 13% Mexican, 13% Chinese, 11% Central American, 9% Filipino, 8% Salvadoran, 6% German, and 5% Japanese. There is a nearly perfect 50-50 split when it comes to the local gender ratio of male and female.
According to US census data, about 57% of people residing in Sunnyvale are married and there are about 2.7 persons per household.
The median household income in Sunnyvale is $151,475.
2. Sunnyvale Neighborhoods
Sunnyvale covers a geographic area of 22 square miles in the northwestern portion of Santa Clara County in California. Local zip codes are 94024, 94043, 94085, 94086, 94087, 94089, 95002, 95014, and 95051. The area codes are 408, 669, and 650.
The time zone in Sunnyvale is Pacific Standard Time (PST) and Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) during daylight savings time.
There is an elevation of 125 feet above sea level in Sunnyvale.
The local Sunnyvale Parks and Recreation department manages and operates over 772 acres of parks and open spaces that are located around the community.
Where should you live in Sunnyvale? As a safe and comfortable place to live, the best Sunnyvale neighborhoods include:
Ponderosa
The community of Ponderosa is the largest neighborhood in Sunnyvale and offers many benefits that come with living there.
- Population: 24,984
- Homes for sale in Ponderosa
- Average price of a home: $952,000
Lakewood
Lakewood is a family-oriented community in Sunnyvale with top-rated schools, making it a great neighborhood to raise your children.
- Population: 19,120
- Homes for sale in Lakewood
- Average price of a home: $1.43 million
Garden Gate
Garden Gate is the most affluent neighborhood in Sunnyvale with a median household income of $191,034 per year.
- Population: 3,755
- Homes for sale in Garden Gate
- Average price of a home: $1.94 million
Serra
The area of Serra offers easy access for commuters who work at local tech companies.
- Population: 15,440
- Homes for sale in Serra
- Average price of a home: $1.97 million
De Anza
De Anza is a top-rated neighborhood in Sunnyvale with some of the most expensive homes in Sunnyvale.
- Population: 15,674
- Homes for sale in De Anza
- Average price of a home: $2.28 million
3. Cost of Living in Sunnyvale, CA
The average cost of living in Sunnyvale is 200% higher than the national average and about 150% higher than the California state average. Sunnyvale is an expensive place to live. While local utilities tend to cost a bit less, other expenses like groceries, healthcare, transportation, and the Sunnyvale real estate market are higher.
The average monthly utility bill in Sunnyvale is $117.83 per month
There is a state income tax rate in Sunnyvale of 9.3%.
How much does it cost to live in Sunnyvale, CA? Statistics from Numbeo show many of the standard expenses people can expect after relocating to Sunnyvale.
Sunnyvale Typical Living Expenses
- Meal inexpensive restaurant $16.50
- Meal for 2 People Mid-range Restaurant $78.00
- McDonald’s Burger (1/4 Pounder) $8.00
- Milk (regular) $4.78
- Loaf of Fresh White Bread $4.48
- Rice $3.10
- Eggs $3.90
- Local cheese $8.50
- Chicken filets $5.83
- Beef round $5.50
- Internet $48.00
- Average Cost of Gasoline (per gallon) $3.52
- Average Cost of Utilities (per month) $117.83
- Movie Ticket (1st run) $15.00
4. Crime Rate in Sunnyvale
Is Sunnyvale a safe place to live? There are about 167 crimes per 100,000 people with approximately 259 violent crimes per 100,000. The crime rate in Sunnyvale is about 6% lower than the national average.
The Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety serves as the local police department. The department has about 217 active-duty police officers serving and protecting people living in the city. Sunnyvale is a safe place to live.
If you’re looking for additional information on local crime statistics, you can keep up with this helpful Sunnyvale crime map.
5. Sunnyvale, CA Weather
There is a Mediterranean climate in Sunnyvale, which offers a highly desirable setting that is comfortable and pleasant for most of the year.
The average temperature in Sunnyvale is between the upper 50s at night and the upper 70s during the day. When winter rolls around, the temperature drops slightly to between the mid-40s and upper 50s. The weather in Sunnyvale brings about 15 inches of rain per year on average.
When is the best time to visit Sunnyvale? When you consider local Sunnyvale weather, the most popular time of year to head to Sunnyvale is in August, September, and October.
6. Things to Do in Sunnyvale
Newcomers moving to Sunnyvale will love seeing all of the amazing attractions, popular places to visit, and other things to do around the city.
Top Attractions
- Bay Trail Sunnyvale – Visitors can walk, run, or bike along the Bay Trail as they enjoy gorgeous views of the area.
- Historic Murphy Avenue – As part of the downtown Sunnyvale area, this historical landmark offers great stores, fun events, and nice places to eat.
- Ponderosa Park – This local park in Sunnyvale has plenty of amenities including tennis courts, volleyball courts, basketball courts, picnic spots, and a children’s playground.
- Murphy Park – Once used as a gold-mining mill, this area has been converted into a park with horseshoe pits and a bowling green.
- Sunnyvale Community Center – One of the best things to do in Sunnyvale is visiting this local community center and enjoy activities around the pond.
Entertainment, Museums, & Arts
- Sunnyvale Theatre – As the top performing arts theatre in Sunnyvale, this popular venue features many great shows including concerts, comedians, and more.
- AMC Mercado 20 – Whenever you’re in the mood for a movie, this is the top theater to catch new films as well as occasional reruns of old flicks.
- Moffett Field Historical Society Museum – Close to the Moffett Federal Airfield, this interesting museum in Sunnyvale features the history of aviation and aircraft.
- Sunnyvale Heritage Park Museum – If you ever want to learn more about the history of Sunnyvale, this insightful museum has great exhibits and information about the area.
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Parks & Outdoors
- Las Palmas Park – This tiki-themed park in Sunnyvale features tennis courts, a children’s playground, and a dog park.
- Baylands Park – Located near San Francisco Bay, this 70-acre park has walking trails and a children’s playground.
- Seven Seas Park – One of the best things to do in Sunnyvale is visiting this local park which offers kids access to a splash pad.
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Shopping
- Cherry Orchard Shopping Center – Packed with name-brand retail stores, this popular shopping mall in Sunnyvale offers plenty of great activities.
- Pavlina Plaza Shopping Center – Get something to eat or enjoy shopping at plenty of great retail stores.
- Other convenient shopping destinations in Sunnyvale are Safeway, CVS, Whole Foods, and Ulta Beauty.
7. Places to Eat in Sunnyvale
Anyone relocating to Sunnyvale will want to know where they can find the best restaurants around the community.
One of Sunnyvale’s top places to eat is Dishdash Middle Eastern Cuisine, a unique and bustling restaurant with beautiful arts across the walls. They offer tasty Middle Eastern dishes including mansaf, tabsi, zahra, mashwi, tika kebabs, and many others.
Dishdash Middle Eastern Cuisine, 190 S Murphy Ave, Sunnyvale, CA 94086 (408) 774-1889
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On the list of top-rated Sunnyvale restaurants is Falafel STOP, a walkup kiosk that offers places to eat outside. Their menu features salads, pitas, hummus, and falafels.
Falafel STOP, 1325 Sunnyvale Saratoga Rd, Sunnyvale, CA 94087 (408) 735-7182
As one of the best restaurants in Sunnyvale, Dish n Dash offers a fast-food menu with healthy ingredients for a combination of convenience and comfort.
Dish n Dash, 736 N Mathilda Ave, Sunnyvale, CA 94085 (408) 530-9200
8. Sunnyvale Real Estate
The real estate market in Sunnyvale is considered very competitive with homes only being listed for an average of 9 days before selling.
The homeownership rate in Sunnyvale is 45.4%, with less than half of the people living there purchasing their houses and condos. Sunnyvale, CA homes for sale are part of an expensive community with many locations in the multi-million dollar range. The average price of a home in Sunnyvale is $1.45 million with a median sale price of $990 per square foot.
The local Sunnyvale property tax rate is 0.730% so a $1.45 million home would have about $10,585 in property taxes due per year.
About 55% of people living in Sunnyvale rent their living spaces. The average price of rent in Sunnyvale is $2,635 per month, which is an 8% decrease in the last 12 months.
9. Sunnyvale Schools
There are more than 35,123 children between the ages of 0 and 18 years old living in Sunnyvale, adding up to about 23% of the population. Thanks to its safe neighborhoods and reputable schools system, Sunnyvale is an excellent place for families to live.
Local schools in Sunnyvale are part of either the Cupertino Union School District or the Sunnyvale School District depending on where they’re located. The top Sunnyvale schools are:
- West Valley Elementary School
- Cherry Chase Elementary School
- Sunnyvale Middle School
- Summit Public School: Denali
- Fremont High School
The closest colleges and universities to Sunnyvale include the University of Silicon Valley, Santa Clara University, and Foothill College.
People residing in Sunnyvale get access to the free Sunnyvale Public Library.
10. Jobs in Sunnyvale
The average salary in Sunnyvale is $118,000 per year with an average hourly rate of $27.02 per hour. Sunnyvale’s unemployment rate is currently about 4.8%.
During the 2010s, there have been many new Sunnyvale jobs as the area has become an integral part of Silicon Valley. Companies like LinkedIn have now made their headquarters in Sunnyvale opening up many opportunities for people living in the area.
Some of the best places to work in Sunnyvale are:
Many residents in the area choose to commute from Sunnyvale to San Francisco about 48 miles away, a trip that takes 1 hour in both directions.
If you are searching for jobs in Sunnyvale, you can always check out available careers on Indeed.
11. Transportation in Sunnyvale
Wondering how to get around Sunnyvale? Residents living in Sunnyvale have access to the Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) transit system, though it is rarely used since most locals have their own vehicles.
The main options for Sunnyvale transportation are bus 22 on El Camino Real and bus 522, which follows a similar route but with fewer stops. Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are also available.
If you’re preparing for a flight from Sunnyvale, you can either fly out of Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport or San Francisco International Airport.
The most highly rated hospitals in Sunnyvale are El Camino Hospital Mountain View as well as Pediatrics: Sunnyvale Center: Palo Alto Medical Foundation.
12. Sports in Sunnyvale
Though Sunnyvale doesn’t host any of its own professional sports stadiums, people living there have plenty of teams nearby that they can cheer on.
The San Jose Sharks NHL hockey team plays at SAP Arena and has won six division championships along with one conference championship. The San Jose Earthquakes MLS soccer team also plays in this community.
Anyone moving to Sunnyvale can root for professional sports teams in San Francisco including the San Francisco Giants (MLB), the Golden State Warriors (NBA), and the San Francisco 49ers (NFL) who play at Levi’s Stadium only 7 miles away in Santa Clara.
Living in Sunnyvale Pros & Cons
- Pro: The beautiful climate makes Sunnyvale weather one of the best benefits of Sunnyvale.
- Pro: Neighborhoods in Sunnyvale offer safe communities and plenty of family-friendly amenities.
- Con: Sunnyvale’s real estate market is highly expensive and may be out of reach for many people.
- Con: Since most residents have their own vehicles, traffic can be bad at peak times.
Moving to Sunnyvale, CA
It’s easy to see the many reasons to move to Sunnyvale when you consider all the advantages it offers local residents. If you need reliable Sunnyvale movers to assist with your relocation to the area, count on AMS Relocation to handle the task! Get in touch with our team today by calling (650) 284-2931 or fill out the Request a Quote form on this page for a free moving estimate!
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