Moving from Santa Rosa, CA to Sunnyvale, CA
Moving from Santa Rosa, CA to Sunnyvale, CA covers 95 mi and about 2h 4m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
95 mi Β· 2h 4m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 101, CA 1 |
| Major cities en route | Vallejo, Richmond, Berkeley, Concord, Oakland |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Rosa | Sunnyvale | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 107.784 | 110.423 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.777 | 156.659 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 139.569 | 211.901 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Santa Rosa (107.784) and Sunnyvale (110.423) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Sunnyvale: 2.4% above Santa Rosa on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Santa Rosa -2.2%, Sunnyvale -0.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Rosa | Sunnyvale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 38Β°F | 42Β°F |
| July avg high | 82Β°F | 77Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 31.5" | 13.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA ROSA, CA US, MOFFETT FEDERAL AIRFIELD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Rosa | Sunnyvale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,216 | 153,455 |
| Median household income | $97,410 | $181,862 |
| Median age | 40.5 | 35.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 30.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.61 |
Median household income in Sunnyvale is 2.4% above Santa Rosa ($97,410 vs $181,862, 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 much do homes cost in Sunnyvale compared to Santa Rosa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $2,168,909 in Sunnyvale vs $718,726 in Santa Rosa β a 201.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Sunnyvale more expensive than Santa Rosa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Sunnyvale is 2.4% higher than Santa Rosa (110.423 vs 107.784, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Sunnyvale, CA from Santa Rosa, CA?
The driving distance is 95 mi and the route typically takes 2h 4m via US 101 and CA 1. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Santa Rosa to Sunnyvale?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 95 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 Rosa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $81,470 in the Sunnyvale MSA vs $51,670 in the Santa Rosa MSA, on total employment of 1,141,820 and 206,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Santa Rosa vs Sunnyvale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $181,862 in Sunnyvale vs $97,410 in Santa Rosa β a 86.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Santa Rosa.
City profiles: Santa Rosa, CA Β· Sunnyvale, CA.