Cost of Living: Sunnyvale, CA vs West Palm Beach, FL (2026)

Sunnyvale

California
341
VS

West Palm Beach

Florida
119

Sunnyvale is 187% more expensive than West Palm Beach.

$3,065/mo ↑ 79%
Median Rent
$1,709/mo ↓ 44%
$181,862/yr ↑ 163%
Median Income
$69,261/yr ↓ 62%
$1,816,600 ↑ 391%
Home Value
$369,800 ↓ 80%
$3,016/mo ↑ 81%
Owner Costs
$1,667/mo ↓ 45%
153,455
Population
119,508

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.86%

Affordability

20.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
29.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Sunnyvale, CA and West Palm Beach, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 341 and 119 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,356/month cheaper in West Palm Beach, saving renters about $16,272/year.

Median household income is $112,601/year higher in Sunnyvale. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Sunnyvale is $1,816,600 compared to $369,800 in West Palm Beach.

Florida has no state income tax, giving West Palm Beach residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sunnyvale vs West Palm Beach — common questions

Is Sunnyvale or West Palm Beach cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, West Palm Beach is cheaper to live in with an index of 119 compared to 341 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Sunnyvale and West Palm Beach?
Median rent in Sunnyvale is $3,065/month and in West Palm Beach it's $1,709/month — a difference of $1,356/month.
Which city has higher income, Sunnyvale or West Palm Beach?
Median household income is $181,862 in Sunnyvale and $69,261 in West Palm Beach. Median household income is $112,601/year higher in Sunnyvale.
How do taxes compare between California and Florida?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax.
Should I move to Sunnyvale or West Palm Beach?
It depends on your priorities. Sunnyvale has a cost index of 341 with median rent of $3,065/mo, while West Palm Beach has a cost index of 119 with rent of $1,709/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Sunnyvale details → View West Palm Beach details →

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