Glendale, CA 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 counts roughly 194,512 residents, and the median household brings in $81,219 annually — +13% relative to the cities in our dataset, putting incomes here above the pack.
In Glendale, the median home is valued at $992,000 — above the median across the cities we track (+204%) — and typical rent runs $2,002 a month. Factor in mortgage rates and property taxes when sizing up whether buying pencils out.
Buying a typical home in Glendale would take about 12.2 years of median household income — a high multiple that points to real affordability pressure. Glendale's home prices climbed 1.7% over the past year — steady appreciation without signs of overheating. 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 $2,002/mo in Glendale would take 29.6% of your income.
$28/mo under the 30% guideline.
Buying the median home ($992,000) would take 78.2% of your income toward principal & interest.
$3,401/mo over the 28% guideline.
Cost of housing in Glendale
Median home value is $992,000 and median gross rent is $2,002/month. For buyers, monthly costs depend heavily on current mortgage rates — worth checking before you commit.
FHFA's county-level home price index for Los Angeles rose 1.7% over the past year (as of 2025).
HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit in the surrounding county is $2,601/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 234.6 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, CA?
- The US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022) puts Glendale's median home value at $992,000, median rent at $2,002/month, and median household income at $81,219.
- How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Glendale?
- A common guideline is that rent should stay under 30% of gross income. With median rent at $2,002/month in Glendale, that implies an income of about $80,080 to keep housing affordable. See the full salary breakdown (renting and buying) for Glendale.
- Is it better to rent or buy in Glendale?
- Comparing the two in Glendale: renting at the median $2,002/month needs about $80,080 in annual income (30% guideline), while buying the $992,000 median home needs roughly $226,965 a year in principal-and-interest, assuming 20% down and a 30-year fixed loan at current rates.
- Is Glendale safe?
- The most recent FBI figures (2025) show a violent crime rate of 234.6 per 100,000 residents in Glendale.
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.