2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Sunnyvale, CA vs San Mateo, CA

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in San Mateo or is it cheaper to live in Sunnyvale?
- San Mateo is 8.2% more expensive than Sunnyvale.

Which city has more affordable housing, San Mateo or Sunnyvale?
- San Mateo housing costs are 17.2% less expensive than Sunnyvale housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Sunnyvale or is Health Care more affordable in San Mateo.
- Health related expenses are 9.0% more in San Mateo.
 Sunnyvale, CASan Mateo, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock250.0100
 Food & Groceries118.4  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock117.4100
 Housing649.5  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$1,378,900$338,100
 Utilities85  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock143.4100
 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 San Mateo    12 Reviews

I have lived in San Mateo since 2013. It has seen tremendous growth, lots of new restaurants which have become progressively more high-end though there is ample  More

   |    Reply

I'm a native of California. I have lived in the southern part of the state and the northern part of the state for most of my life. I have spent the last 29 years in  More

   |    Reply

Over 15 years ago

San Mateo has a diverse mix of people, a pleasant climate, a very pleasant downtown park with lots going on, and pretty much whatever you need handy. It's not far to  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of San Mateo


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.