Cost of Living: Fresno, CA vs Sunnyvale, CA (2026)

Fresno

California
101
VS

Sunnyvale

California
341

Fresno is 70% cheaper than Sunnyvale.

$1,324/mo ↓ 57%
Median Rent
$3,065/mo ↑ 131%
$66,804/yr ↓ 63%
Median Income
$181,862/yr ↑ 172%
$348,500 ↓ 81%
Home Value
$1,816,600 ↑ 421%
$1,391/mo ↓ 54%
Owner Costs
$3,016/mo ↑ 117%
543,615
Population
153,455

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
13.3%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

23.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fresno, CA and Sunnyvale, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 101 and 341 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,741/month cheaper in Fresno, saving renters about $20,892/year.

Median household income is $115,058/year higher in Sunnyvale. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fresno is $348,500 compared to $1,816,600 in Sunnyvale.

Both cities share the same state tax structure since they are in California.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fresno vs Sunnyvale — common questions

Is Fresno or Sunnyvale cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fresno is cheaper to live in with an index of 101 compared to 341 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fresno and Sunnyvale?
Median rent in Fresno is $1,324/month and in Sunnyvale it's $3,065/month — a difference of $1,741/month.
Which city has higher income, Fresno or Sunnyvale?
Median household income is $66,804 in Fresno and $181,862 in Sunnyvale. Median household income is $115,058/year higher in Sunnyvale.
How do taxes compare between California and California?
Both cities are in California and share the same state tax rates: 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to Fresno or Sunnyvale?
It depends on your priorities. Fresno has a cost index of 101 with median rent of $1,324/mo, while Sunnyvale has a cost index of 341 with rent of $3,065/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Fresno details → View Sunnyvale details →

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