2026 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Hawthorne, CA vs Sunnyvale, CA

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Sunnyvale or is it cheaper to live in Hawthorne?
- Sunnyvale is 42.9% more expensive than Hawthorne.

Which city has more affordable housing, Sunnyvale or Hawthorne?
- Sunnyvale housing costs are 135.6% more expensive than Hawthorne housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Hawthorne or is Health Care more affordable in Sunnyvale.
- Health related expenses are 19.4% more in Sunnyvale.
 Hawthorne, CASunnyvale, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock231.0100
 Food & Groceries102.8  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock107.7100
 Housing275.7  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$1,761,600$338,100
 Utilities92  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock141.5100
 Miscellaneous133.3  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
DID YOU KNOW?

In order to keep your same standard of living your salary can vary greatly - whether you buy or rent, require child care, or want to include taxes. This is why we are now offering a Premium Salary & Cost of Living Calculator.

Our Premium Calculator Includes:
- Compare Cities cost of living across 9 different categories
- Personal salary calculations can optionally include Home ownership or rental, Child care, and Taxes (with details on state and local sales, income, property and automobile taxes)
- Includes the cost of Child Care for toddlers or infants, at a day care center or home care
- Grocery prices, detailed for 29 staple items in six categories
- Difference in cost of Utilities, including electric, gas and fuel oil
- Health Care Premiums and hospital expenses for major surgeries
- Taxes, Fees and Expenses you should know about, such as local car insurance rates, automobile taxes and registration, commuting costs.
- and 100s of other items you should consider before you relocate

Upgrade to Premium | See Example

Reviews for Hawthorne    4 Reviews

MARGARET · 

I lived there. Hawthorne is a ___hole. Crime, Drugs, Unemployment near 12% and, they can pay the police enough to stay and deal with all the crap! It has to be one of  More

   |    Reply

Great multi-cultural, family-oriented little enclave of Hawthorne called Wiseburn. Has a newly built middle school and a new elementary school is nearly complete. Not a  More

   |    Reply

Over 19 years ago

I wouldn't recomend anyone raise children here. The weather is about as mild as anywhere in the world, but the area is a little too rough for most normal people. There  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Hawthorne

Reviews for Sunnyvale    14 Reviews

At this point, I would only recommend moving to silicon valley for the job market. Sure, the weather is great and the restaurants offer huge variety. But the costs of  More

   |    Reply

Like previous reviewer, tech company's tyranny over city gov and quality of living has negatively impacted a fantastic place to live. Climate, while super, is grossly  More

   |    Reply

I've lived here for 40 years. While the weather is fabulous, For the past ten years of high density housing mostly needed to house thousands of a young up coming tech  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Sunnyvale


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.