Pasadena, CA 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.
Pasadena
61.6
#1898 nationally
Sunnyvale
66.4
#1551 nationally
Sunnyvale leads in median household income ($168,924 vs $97,818). Pasadena leads in walk score (69 vs 54). Sunnyvale leads in average commute (25.6 min vs 27.9 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Sunnyvale, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 61.6 (#1898) | 66.4 (#1551) |
| Population | 133,560 | 155,805 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,206,740 | $2,050,814 |
| Median Household Income | $97,818 | $168,924 |
| Average Commute | 27.9 min | 25.6 min |
| Walk Score | 69 | 54 |
| Crime Level | 13.2 | Low |
| School Rating | N/A | 8.6 |
| Cost of Living Index | 197 | 205 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+32.9 | D+40.0 |
D-
61.6 Score
Pasadena, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$1,206,740
Population
133,560
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
69
Pacific
View Pasadena, CA →
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 →
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