Moving from Sunnyvale, CA to Sacramento, CA
Moving from Sunnyvale, CA to Sacramento, CA covers 119 mi and about 2h 22m 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.
119 mi Β· 2h 22m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 680, I 80, CA 237 |
| Major cities en route | Roseville, Elk Grove, Fairfield, Vallejo, Richmond |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Sunnyvale | Sacramento | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.423 | 106.67 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 156.659 | 151.29 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 211.901 | 130.23 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Sacramento and Sunnyvale is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Sacramento is 3.4% below Sunnyvale β $2,168,909 vs $479,766 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Sunnyvale -0.1%, Sacramento -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Sunnyvale | Sacramento |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 42Β°F | 41Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 13.5" | 19.2" |
Annual average temperatures in Sunnyvale (59.9Β°F) and Sacramento (63.4Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Sacramento gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MOFFETT FEDERAL AIRFIELD, CA US, SACRAMENTO 5 ESE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Sunnyvale | Sacramento |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 153,455 | 524,802 |
| Median household income | $181,862 | $83,753 |
| Median age | 35.1 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.3% | 22.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.61 | 2.63 |
Median household income in Sacramento is 3.4% below Sunnyvale ($181,862 vs $83,753, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Sacramento MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 127,580 | $49,240 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 92,040 | $35,560 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 79,450 | $43,790 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 78,260 | $38,490 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 71,860 | $81,700 |
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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Sacramento average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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
Is Sacramento more expensive than Sunnyvale?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Sacramento is 3.4% lower than Sunnyvale (106.67 vs 110.423, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Sunnyvale to Sacramento?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 119 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Sunnyvale vs Sacramento?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,753 in Sacramento vs $181,862 in Sunnyvale β a 53.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Sacramento compare to Sunnyvale?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $55,290 in the Sacramento MSA vs $81,470 in the Sunnyvale MSA, on total employment of 1,048,170 and 1,141,820 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Sacramento, CA from Sunnyvale, CA?
The driving distance is 119 mi and the route typically takes 2h 22m via I 680 and I 80. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Sacramento compared to Sunnyvale?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $479,766 in Sacramento vs $2,168,909 in Sunnyvale β a 77.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Sunnyvale.
City profiles: Sunnyvale, CA Β· Sacramento, CA.