1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Sunnyvale, CA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Sunnyvale, California as of July 2026. That's +10% lower than the citywide median of $3,821 and +146% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Sunnyvale
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Sunnyvale
Compare Sunnyvale's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in California
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taft | $880 |
| 2 | Ridgecrest | $887 |
| 3 | Lakeport | $900 |
| 4 | California City | $950 |
| 5 | Clearlake | $950 |
| 6 | Barstow | $974 |
| 7 | Oroville | $1,005 |
| 8 | El Centro | $1,020 |
| 9 | Paradise | $1,020 |
| 10 | Red Bluff | $1,030 |
| 11 | Eureka | $1,040 |
| 12 | Porterville | $1,060 |
| 13 | Shafter | $1,060 |
| 14 | Tehachapi | $1,110 |
| 15 | Hanford | $1,120 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in California
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cupertino | $3,880 |
| 2 | Foster City | $3,820 |
| 3 | Santa Cruz | $3,710 |
| 4 | Scotts Valley | $3,600 |
| 5 | Aptos | $3,600 |
| 6 | Tiburon | $3,530 |
| 7 | Los Altos | $3,530 |
| 8 | Coronado | $3,460 |
| 9 | Sunnyvale (this page) | $3,438 |
| 10 | Millbrae | $3,410 |
| 11 | Corte Madera | $3,390 |
| 12 | Santa Barbara | $3,382 |
| 13 | Palo Alto | $3,305 |
| 14 | Mountain View | $3,303 |
| 15 | Ladera Ranch | $3,280 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Sunnyvale.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Sunnyvale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain View, CA | 3.8 mi | $3,303 | $-135 (-4%) |
| Santa Clara, CA | 4 mi | $3,160 | $-278 (-8%) |
| Cupertino, CA | 6.5 mi | $3,880 | +$442 (+13%) |
| East Palo Alto, CA | 8.3 mi | $2,550 | $-888 (-26%) |
| Newark, CA | 8.5 mi | $2,270 | $-1,168 (-34%) |
| Saratoga, CA | 8.5 mi | $3,270 | $-168 (-5%) |
| Campbell, CA | 8.5 mi | $2,900 | $-538 (-16%) |
| Los Altos, CA | 8.5 mi | $3,530 | +$92 (+3%) |
| Palo Alto, CA | 8.7 mi | $3,305 | $-133 (-4%) |
| Fremont, CA | 10.9 mi | $2,760 | $-678 (-20%) |
| Milpitas, CA | 11.5 mi | $3,020 | $-418 (-12%) |
| Menlo Park, CA | 11.8 mi | $3,130 | $-308 (-9%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Sunnyvale — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Sunnyvale?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Sunnyvale, California is $3,438 per month. This is +10% below the citywide median of $3,821.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Sunnyvale?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $137,520 ($11,460/month gross), which works out to roughly $66.12/hour at a full-time job.
Is Sunnyvale expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Sunnyvale's 1-bedroom median of $3,438 is +146% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 100th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Sunnyvale rank for 1-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 385 cities in California with 1-bedroom data, Sunnyvale ranks #377 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Sunnyvale?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Mountain View ($3,303), Santa Clara ($3,160), East Palo Alto ($2,550).