Arcata, 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.
Arcata
65.5
#1626 nationally
Sunnyvale
66.4
#1551 nationally
Sunnyvale leads in median household income ($168,924 vs $43,444). Arcata leads in cost of living index (133 vs 205). Arcata leads in average commute (18.4 min vs 25.6 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Arcata, CA | Sunnyvale, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 65.5 (#1626) | 66.4 (#1551) |
| Population | 19,012 | 155,805 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $480,134 | $2,050,814 |
| Median Household Income | $43,444 | $168,924 |
| Average Commute | 18.4 min | 25.6 min |
| Walk Score | 48 | 54 |
| Crime Level | 13.9 | Low |
| School Rating | N/A | 8.6 |
| Cost of Living Index | 133 | 205 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+28.4 | D+40.0 |
D
65.5 Score
Arcata, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$480,134
Population
19,012
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
48
Pacific
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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 →