Glendale, AZ Relocation Guide (2026)
Cost of living, housing, and income data for Glendale, sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Salary needed to live in Glendale →
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Last updated July 2026.
Glendale is a city of roughly 248,083 in Arizona. The median household there earns $66,375 annually, which runs roughly in line with the multi-city median income (-8%).
The typical home in Glendale is worth $310,000, roughly in line with the multi-city median (-5%), while the typical renter pays $1,268 a month. Either path — buying or renting — deserves a look at today's rates before deciding.
At roughly 4.7 times median income, Glendale's home values sit in a balanced range compared to the cities we track. Prices in Glendale have barely moved, inching up 0.65% over the past year. Natural-hazard exposure in Glendale is rated Very High by FEMA, on the elevated end — something to check with insurers before buying.
Personal Affordability Check
Renting at $1,268/mo in Glendale would take 22.9% of your income.
$391/mo under the 30% guideline.
Buying the median home ($310,000) would take 29.9% of your income toward principal & interest.
$106/mo over the 28% guideline.
Cost of housing in Glendale
Median home value is $310,000 and median gross rent is $1,268/month. For buyers, monthly costs depend heavily on current mortgage rates — worth checking before you commit.
FHFA's county-level home price index for Maricopa rose 0.65% over the past year (as of 2025).
HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit in the surrounding county is $1,839/month.
Climate & home insurance
FEMA rates Glendale's overall natural-hazard risk as Very High. Risk level is a major driver of home insurance premiums.
Safety
Glendale reported a violent crime rate of 438 per 100,000 residents in 2025, per FBI data.
Moving to Glendale
Planning a move to Glendale? Compare licensed movers and get quotes based on your origin and move date.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the cost of living in Glendale, AZ?
- Housing drives most of the cost-of-living picture in Glendale — median home value of $310,000, median rent of $1,268/month — set against a median household income of $66,375 (US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022)).
- How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Glendale?
- To keep rent under the commonly recommended 30% of income in Glendale, where median rent runs $1,268/month, you'd want to earn about $50,720 annually. See the full salary breakdown (renting and buying) for Glendale.
- Is it better to rent or buy in Glendale?
- With a median home value of $310,000 and median rent of $1,268/month, renting comfortably in Glendale takes about $50,720/year (the 30% guideline), while buying at the median price takes roughly $70,926/year in principal-and-interest alone (assumes 20% down, a 30-year fixed loan, and current mortgage rates). The right call depends on how long you plan to stay and your down payment.
- Is Glendale safe?
- Glendale reported a violent crime rate of 438 per 100,000 residents in 2025, per FBI data. Compare that figure against other cities you're considering for context.
See the full salary breakdown for Glendale →
Cities with a similar cost of living
Matched on median rent and household income within 15% of Glendale's.