Moving from San Mateo, CA to Sunnyvale, CA
Moving from San Mateo, CA to Sunnyvale, CA is a 21 mi drive, about 27 min by car. This is a local relocation β same-day moves are typical β but cost-of-living, housing, and tax lines still shift enough to plan around. The sections below pull current figures from BEA, the Census Bureau, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA for a side-by-side look.
21 mi Β· 27 min by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 101, CA 92 |
| Major cities en route | San Jose, Santa Clara, Fremont, Hayward, Oakland |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Mateo | Sunnyvale | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 110.423 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 156.659 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 211.901 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Sunnyvale and San Mateo is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Sunnyvale is 4.5% above San Mateo β $1,686,905 vs $2,168,909 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: San Mateo +0.6%, Sunnyvale -0.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Mateo | Sunnyvale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 42Β°F |
| July avg high | 73Β°F | 77Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 19.6" | 13.5" |
Annual average temperatures in San Mateo (58.7Β°F) and Sunnyvale (59.9Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN FRANCISCO INTL AP, CA US, MOFFETT FEDERAL AIRFIELD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Mateo | Sunnyvale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 103,555 | 153,455 |
| Median household income | $152,669 | $181,862 |
| Median age | 38 | 35.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 30.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.61 |
Median household income in Sunnyvale is 4.5% above San Mateo ($152,669 β $181,862, 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 San Mateo to Sunnyvale?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 21 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in San Mateo vs Sunnyvale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $181,862 in Sunnyvale vs $152,669 in San Mateo β a 19.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Sunnyvale, CA from San Mateo, CA?
The driving distance is 21 mi and the route typically takes 27 min via US 101 and CA 92. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Sunnyvale compared to San Mateo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $2,168,909 in Sunnyvale vs $1,686,905 in San Mateo β a 28.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Sunnyvale compare to San Mateo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $81,470 in the Sunnyvale MSA vs $72,050 in the San Mateo MSA, on total employment of 1,141,820 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Sunnyvale more expensive than San Mateo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Sunnyvale is 4.5% lower than San Mateo (110.423 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from San Mateo.
City profiles: San Mateo, CA Β· Sunnyvale, CA.