Moving from Santa Clara, CA to Sunnyvale, CA
The drive from Santa Clara to Sunnyvale covers 5.0 mi in about 9 min. Local moves still matter β school districts, tax jurisdictions, and housing micromarkets can all flip across short distances. This page pulls the latest federal and Zillow figures into a single side-by-side comparison to make those differences visible.
5.0 mi Β· 9 min by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CR G6, CR G4 |
| Major cities en route | Oakland, Hayward, San Mateo, Fremont, San Jose |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Clara | Sunnyvale | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.423 | 110.423 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 156.659 | 156.659 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 211.901 | 211.901 | 100.0 |
Sunnyvale and Santa Clara are close on the overall BEA RPP (110.423 vs 110.423); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Sunnyvale typical home at $2,168,909 is 0.0% above Santa Clara at $1,782,192 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Santa Clara -1.1%, Sunnyvale -0.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Clara | Sunnyvale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 42Β°F | 42Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 77Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 13.5" | 13.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 60.7Β°F vs 59.9Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN JOSE, CA US, MOFFETT FEDERAL AIRFIELD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Clara | Sunnyvale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,239 | 153,455 |
| Median household income | $173,670 | $181,862 |
| Median age | 34.5 | 35.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 30.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.61 |
Household income lines up β $173,670 vs $181,862 on ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Sunnyvale MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Mathematical Occupations | 161,790 | $175,110 |
| Management Occupations | 119,300 | $206,650 |
| Software Developers | 96,590 | $199,100 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 93,740 | $59,850 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 90,500 | $120,970 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Dry climate: Sunnyvale sees only 13.5 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Santa Clara vs Sunnyvale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $181,862 in Sunnyvale vs $173,670 in Santa Clara β a 4.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Sunnyvale compared to Santa Clara?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $2,168,909 in Sunnyvale vs $1,782,192 in Santa Clara β a 21.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Sunnyvale, CA from Santa Clara, CA?
The driving distance is 5.0 mi and the route typically takes 9 min via CR G6 and CR G4. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Santa Clara to Sunnyvale?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 5.0 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Sunnyvale compare to Santa Clara?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $81,470 in the Sunnyvale MSA vs $81,470 in the Santa Clara MSA, on total employment of 1,141,820 and 1,141,820 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Santa Clara.
City profiles: Santa Clara, CA Β· Sunnyvale, CA.