Ithaca, NY vs Sunnyvale, CA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Sunnyvale
66.4
#1551 nationally
Sunnyvale leads in median household income ($168,924 vs $45,468). Ithaca leads in cost of living index (117 vs 205). Ithaca leads in average commute (18.4 min vs 25.6 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Ithaca, NY | Sunnyvale, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 32,724 | 155,805 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $0 | $2,050,814 |
| Median Household Income | $45,468 | $168,924 |
| Average Commute | 18.4 min | 25.6 min |
| Walk Score | 72 | 54 |
| Crime Level | 5.4 | Low |
| School Rating | N/A | 8.6 |
| Cost of Living Index | 117 | 205 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+50.6 | D+40.0 |
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Score
Ithaca, NY
Small New York city with local appeal
Population
32,724
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
72
Median Income
$45,468
Northeast
View Ithaca, NY →
D
66.4 Score
Sunnyvale, CA
Heart of tech innovation
Median Home
$2,050,814
Population
155,805
Crime
Low
Schools
A
Pacific
View Sunnyvale, CA →