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

Sunnyvale

California
341
VS

Carrollton

Texas
116

Sunnyvale is 194% more expensive than Carrollton.

$3,065/mo ↑ 83%
Median Rent
$1,674/mo ↓ 45%
$181,862/yr ↑ 83%
Median Income
$99,115/yr ↓ 45%
$1,816,600 ↑ 414%
Home Value
$353,600 ↓ 81%
$3,016/mo ↑ 79%
Owner Costs
$1,689/mo ↓ 44%
153,455
Population
132,741

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
20.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Sunnyvale, CA and Carrollton, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 341 and 116 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,391/month cheaper in Carrollton, saving renters about $16,692/year.

Median household income is $82,747/year higher in Sunnyvale. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Sunnyvale is $1,816,600 compared to $353,600 in Carrollton.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Sunnyvale vs Carrollton — common questions

Is Sunnyvale or Carrollton cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Carrollton is cheaper to live in with an index of 116 compared to 341 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Sunnyvale and Carrollton?
Median rent in Sunnyvale is $3,065/month and in Carrollton it's $1,674/month — a difference of $1,391/month.
Which city has higher income, Sunnyvale or Carrollton?
Median household income is $181,862 in Sunnyvale and $99,115 in Carrollton. Median household income is $82,747/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 Carrollton?
It depends on your priorities. Sunnyvale has a cost index of 341 with median rent of $3,065/mo, while Carrollton has a cost index of 116 with rent of $1,674/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Sunnyvale details → View Carrollton details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Sunnyvale and Carrollton

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