Moving from Long Beach, CA to Sunnyvale, CA
It is a 373 mi drive, roughly 7h 5m, between Long Beach, CA and Sunnyvale, CA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
373 mi Β· 7h 5m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, CA 152, I 405 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Ana, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove, Costa Mesa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Long Beach | Sunnyvale | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 110.423 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 156.659 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 211.901 | 100.0 |
Long Beach and Sunnyvale sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $857,861 in Long Beach to $2,168,909 in Sunnyvale, a 2.8% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Long Beach +0.5%, Sunnyvale -0.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Long Beach | Sunnyvale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 47Β°F | 42Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 77Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 12.0" | 13.5" |
Annual temperature drops 5.0Β°F moving to Sunnyvale per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US, MOFFETT FEDERAL AIRFIELD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Long Beach | Sunnyvale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 458,491 | 153,455 |
| Median household income | $83,969 | $181,862 |
| Median age | 36.8 | 35.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.3% | 30.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.68 | 2.61 |
Sunnyvale households earn about 2.8% more than Long Beach at the median β $83,969 β $181,862 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Sunnyvale MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Mathematical Occupations | 161,790 | $175,110 |
| Management Occupations | 119,300 | $206,650 |
| Software Developers | 96,590 | $199,100 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 93,740 | $59,850 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 90,500 | $120,970 |
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
- Dry climate: Sunnyvale sees only 13.5 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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
When is the best time to move from Long Beach to Sunnyvale?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 373 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Sunnyvale compared to Long Beach?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $2,168,909 in Sunnyvale vs $857,861 in Long Beach β a 152.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Long Beach vs Sunnyvale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $181,862 in Sunnyvale vs $83,969 in Long Beach β a 116.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Sunnyvale more expensive than Long Beach?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Sunnyvale is 2.8% lower than Long Beach (110.423 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Sunnyvale, CA from Long Beach, CA?
The driving distance is 373 mi and the route typically takes 7h 5m via I 5 and CA 152. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Sunnyvale compare to Long Beach?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $81,470 in the Sunnyvale MSA vs $50,490 in the Long Beach MSA, on total employment of 1,141,820 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Long Beach.
City profiles: Long Beach, CA Β· Sunnyvale, CA.