2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Sunnyvale, CA vs Berkeley, CA

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Berkeley or is it cheaper to live in Sunnyvale?
- Berkeley is 15.4% less expensive than Sunnyvale.

Which city has more affordable housing, Berkeley or Sunnyvale?
- Berkeley housing costs are 19.8% less expensive than Sunnyvale housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Sunnyvale or is Health Care more affordable in Berkeley.
- Health related expenses are 8.4% more in Berkeley.
 Sunnyvale, CABerkeley, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock195.5100
 Food & Groceries118.4  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock116.8100
 Housing649.5  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$1,320,600$338,100
 Utilities85  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock118.7100
 Miscellaneous155.8  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 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

Reviews for Berkeley    14 Reviews

Have lived in Berkeley for about 35 years now. Housing/Real Estate: If you're looking to move here, $1,000,000 will get you a small cottage in the "flats". Most of  More

   |    Reply

Over 12 years ago

We have the best climate -- summers and winters are mild. Lots of  More

   |    Reply

Over 14 years ago

The 60's have left Berkeley and now it is about MONEY...and the people there have plenty of it and nice hybrid cars (looks like 2 per household) and with a great bicycle  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Berkeley


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.