Cost of Living: Sunnyvale, CA vs Abilene, TX (2026)

Sunnyvale

California
341
VS

Abilene

Texas
71

Sunnyvale is 380% more expensive than Abilene.

$3,065/mo ↑ 177%
Median Rent
$1,106/mo ↓ 64%
$181,862/yr ↑ 190%
Median Income
$62,720/yr ↓ 66%
$1,816,600 ↑ 915%
Home Value
$178,900 ↓ 90%
$3,016/mo ↑ 171%
Owner Costs
$1,114/mo ↓ 63%
153,455
Population
127,130

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

20.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Sunnyvale, CA and Abilene, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 341 and 71 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,959/month cheaper in Abilene, saving renters about $23,508/year.

Median household income is $119,142/year higher in Sunnyvale. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Sunnyvale is $1,816,600 compared to $178,900 in Abilene.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Abilene residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sunnyvale vs Abilene — common questions

Is Sunnyvale or Abilene cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Abilene is cheaper to live in with an index of 71 compared to 341 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Sunnyvale and Abilene?
Median rent in Sunnyvale is $3,065/month and in Abilene it's $1,106/month — a difference of $1,959/month.
Which city has higher income, Sunnyvale or Abilene?
Median household income is $181,862 in Sunnyvale and $62,720 in Abilene. Median household income is $119,142/year higher in Sunnyvale.
How do taxes compare between California and Texas?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Sunnyvale or Abilene?
It depends on your priorities. Sunnyvale has a cost index of 341 with median rent of $3,065/mo, while Abilene has a cost index of 71 with rent of $1,106/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Sunnyvale details → View Abilene details →

More Comparisons

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