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

Sunnyvale

California
341
VS

Richardson

Texas
128

Sunnyvale is 166% more expensive than Richardson.

$3,065/mo ↑ 68%
Median Rent
$1,825/mo ↓ 40%
$181,862/yr ↑ 89%
Median Income
$96,257/yr ↓ 47%
$1,816,600 ↑ 348%
Home Value
$405,600 ↓ 78%
$3,016/mo ↑ 68%
Owner Costs
$1,796/mo ↓ 40%
153,455
Population
118,269

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
22.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Sunnyvale, CA and Richardson, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 341 and 128 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,240/month cheaper in Richardson, saving renters about $14,880/year.

Median household income is $85,605/year higher in Sunnyvale. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Sunnyvale is $1,816,600 compared to $405,600 in Richardson.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Sunnyvale vs Richardson — common questions

Is Sunnyvale or Richardson cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Richardson is cheaper to live in with an index of 128 compared to 341 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Sunnyvale and Richardson?
Median rent in Sunnyvale is $3,065/month and in Richardson it's $1,825/month — a difference of $1,240/month.
Which city has higher income, Sunnyvale or Richardson?
Median household income is $181,862 in Sunnyvale and $96,257 in Richardson. Median household income is $85,605/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 Richardson?
It depends on your priorities. Sunnyvale has a cost index of 341 with median rent of $3,065/mo, while Richardson has a cost index of 128 with rent of $1,825/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Sunnyvale details → View Richardson details →

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