Is Sunnyside Safe, Pros and cons of living in Sunnyside
Is it Safe to Live in Sunnyside?
Sunnyside, Queens, New York, presents a generally safe environment for its residents. The 108th Precinct of the NYPD patrols the area, which ranked 25th safest out of 69 patrol areas for per-capita crime in 2010. As of recent data, Sunnyside and Woodside together have a lower rate of violent crimes per capita than the city as a whole, with an incarceration rate also below the city average (as reported by Wikipedia).
Further bolstering this perception of safety, crime rates across all categories in the 108th Precinct have seen a significant decrease of 88.2% between 1990 and 2018 (as reported by Wikipedia). The most common types of crime in Sunnyside are Disorderly Conduct | Harassment and Assault | Assault 3, which together account for a significant portion of incidents. However, the overall trend shows a decreasing incidence rate, with approximately 69 incidents per month on average, and a notable decline of about 7% over the analyzed period (as reported by Safemap).
Pros and Cons of Living in Sunnyside
Cost of Living
Sunnyside, New York, is considered one of the more expensive cities in the U.S. for rent. The average rent for an apartment in Sunnyside is $2,054 per month, which is 25% higher than the national average rent price of $1,642/month (as reported by Apartments.com). This figure includes studios, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom apartments, with prices ranging from $1,889 for a studio to $3,804 for a three-bedroom unit (as reported by Apartments.com).
Rent in Sunnyside has seen an increase of 0.8% in the past year, averaging an additional $18 per month. The median gross rent for tenants is $1,324 per month in Sunnyside, California, with overall housing costs averaging $1,615 per month (as reported by Point2Homes). In contrast, the median home value in Sunnyside, California, is $539,000, significantly higher than the national median of $332,700 (as reported by Niche).
Housing Market
The housing market in Sunnyside, New York, experienced a notable increase in home prices. In March 2026, Sunnyside home prices were up 11.7% compared to the previous year, with a median sale price of $620,000 (as reported by Redfin). Homes in Sunnyside typically sell after 54 days on the market, a decrease from 71 days the previous year, indicating a more active market (as reported by Redfin).
Conversely, Sunnyside, California, presents a different housing market dynamic. The median listing price is $629.5K, with a slight year-over-year increase of 0.08% in the median sale price (as reported by Realtor.com®). The median home value in Sunnyside, California, is $675,290, with most residents choosing to rent (as reported by Niche).
Job Market and Economy
Sunnyside, California, has an unemployment rate of 6.9%, with an employment rate of 93.1% (as reported by Point2Homes). The majority of residents are employed by private companies (58.2%), followed by governmental workers (17.4%) (as reported by Point2Homes). The average annual household income in Sunnyside, California, was $138,250 in 2024, with a median income of $114,135 (as reported by the U.S. Census Bureau and Point2Homes).
In Sunnyside, New York, the employment rate is 93.11% (as reported by BestNeighborhood.org). The average annual household income in Sunnyside, New York, was $132,945 in 2024, with a median income of $83,270 (as reported by the U.S. Census Bureau). The average salary in Sunnyside, California, is $31.51 an hour or $65,535 per year (as reported by ZipRecruiter).
Climate
Sunnyside, New York, experiences a climate typical of the northeastern United States, characterized by warm summers and cold winters. While specific temperature and rainfall data for Sunnyside itself are not detailed in the provided search results, it falls within the broader climate patterns of New York City. This typically includes average summer high temperatures in the upper 80s Fahrenheit and average winter low temperatures in the low 20s Fahrenheit. Rainfall is generally distributed throughout the year, with slightly higher amounts in the summer months.
Sunnyside, California, benefits from a Mediterranean climate, common in the Central Valley of California. Summers are hot and dry, with average high temperatures often exceeding 90°F, while winters are mild and wet, with average low temperatures in the 40s Fahrenheit. Rainfall is concentrated in the winter months, with summers being very dry. This distinct difference in climate can significantly influence lifestyle and outdoor activities.
Demographics and Schools
Sunnyside, California, has a population of 4,639, with a median age of 38.6 years (as reported by Point2Homes and Census Data). The racial and ethnic makeup is diverse, with White individuals comprising 43.5%, followed by those identifying with Two or More Races at 24.6% (as reported by Point2Homes). The public schools in Sunnyside, California, are considered above average (as reported by Niche).
Sunnyside, New York, is a highly diverse neighborhood. The populations identifying as White (non-Hispanic), Hispanic, and Asian are each between 10,000 and 19,999 residents, with fewer than 5,000 residents identifying as Black (as reported by Wikipedia). Information regarding school ratings for Sunnyside, New York, was not readily available in the provided search results.