Sunnyvale, CA vs Waltham, MA
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
Waltham
66.7
#1517 nationally
Sunnyvale leads in median household income ($168,924 vs $113,443). Waltham leads in cost of living index (164 vs 205). Waltham leads in walk score (57 vs 54).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Sunnyvale, CA | Waltham, MA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.4 (#1551) | 66.7 (#1517) |
| Population | 155,805 | 64,477 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $2,050,814 | $831,292 |
| Median Household Income | $168,924 | $113,443 |
| Average Commute | 25.6 min | 24.6 min |
| Walk Score | 54 | 57 |
| Crime Level | Low | 6.9 |
| School Rating | 8.6 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 205 | 164 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+40.0 | D+39.5 |
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 →
D
66.7 Score
Waltham, MA
Massachusetts community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$831,292
Population
64,477
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
57
Northeast
View Waltham, MA →