Skyline of Glendale
Cost of Living: 160 200,000

Glendale, CA, US

Los Angeles County hub with Americana at Brand, Armenian community, and media studios.

Updated September 12, 2026

Overview

Glendale is a city in CA with a population of 200,000. Los Angeles County hub with Americana at Brand, Armenian community, and media studios. Housing is notably more expensive than the national average. The overall cost of living is above the national average. Gardening thrives here — the 6b growing zone supports Cool to mild — apples, pears, berries, many vegetables. A large share of residents hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. The city enjoys abundant sunshine, with about 280 sunny days a year.

Last updated: September 12, 2026

Cost of Living 160

Very High vs US Avg (100)

Housing Index 195

Very Expensive

Median Income $75,000

Household income

Unemployment 4.2%

Job market health

Glendale vs US Average

Cost of Living
Glendale: 160
US Avg: 100
Housing Index
Glendale: 195
US Avg: 100
State Income Tax
Glendale: 8%
US Avg: ~5%

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 8.0%
  • Sales Tax: 10.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: $75,000
  • Unemployment: 4.2%
  • Population: 200,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 280/year
  • Summer High: 88°F
  • Winter Low: 48°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 6b

Housing

  • Median Home: $900,000
  • 1BR Rent: $1900/mo

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Cost of Living

Glendale's cost of living index is 160 (US average = 100).

CategoryGlendaleNational AverageDifference
Overall160100+60.0%
Housing195100+95.0%

Data source: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price$900,000
Median Rent (1BR)$1900/mo
Median Rent (2BR)$2,375/mo
Price per Sq Ft$600

Data source: Zillow Research, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

$
%
$90,000 down
%
%
$

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Glendale:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity$243Based on ~900 kWh/month typical US household usage
Heating & Cooling$17Estimated based on local climate. Gas or electric
Cooling (AC)$15Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water$95Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)$75Broadband average
Garbage / Trash$30Private service
Total Utilities$475Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Remote Work Score

Glendale scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
160
Rent
$1900
Sunny Days
280
Tax
8%
Unemployment
4.2%
Climate
88°F / 48°F
Safety
5.8 homicides/100k
Population
200,000
Internet Speed
200 Mbps

Climate

Glendale has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January68°F48°F2.5"
April73°F63°F2.8"
July88°F63°F1.5"
October68°F66°F2.2"
USDA Zone 6b

Cool to mild — apples, pears, berries, many vegetables

Natural Hazards

Glendale faces the following natural hazards:

Wildfire Extreme Risk

Frequent and severe wildfire seasons.

Earthquake High Risk

Located on the San Andreas Fault system with frequent seismic activity.

Heat Wave High Risk

Extreme summer heat in inland and desert regions.

Drought High Risk

Frequent and severe drought conditions.

Landslide High Risk

Coastal and mountainous regions with frequent landslides.

Avalanche High Risk

Sierra Nevada with frequent avalanches.

Flood Moderate Risk

Flash floods and river flooding.

Sandstorm Moderate Risk

Dust storms in desert regions.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 8%
  • Sales Tax: 10%
  • Property Tax: ~0.75% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 4.2%.

Schools & Education

39/100
School Quality Score
Better than 14% of US cities
?
25
Total Schools
12.9:1
Student:Teacher
93.9%
Free/Reduced Lunch

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

Universities & Higher Education

1
Universities
#1938
Top University Rank

Data source: Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) & World Universities Database

Demographics

The population of Glendale is diverse. The figures below show the ethnic, educational, and religious composition of the local population.

Ethnicity

Asian
13.2%
Black or African American
1.5%
Hispanic or Latino
18.5%
Native American
0.0%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
0.1%
Other
0.5%
Two or more races
3.8%
White
62.3%

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
45.5%
High school graduate
20.7%
Less than high school
11.0%
Some college
22.7%

Religion

Buddhist
2.0%
Christian
58.0%
Hindu
2.0%
Jewish
3.0%
Muslim
2.0%
Unaffiliated
33.0%

Data source: US Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) (2023)

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Glendale, CA, US?

The cost of living index in Glendale is 160, which is Higher the US national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Glendale?

The median home price in Glendale is $900,000. The housing index is 195.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Glendale is approximately $1900/mo.

Does Glendale, CA have income tax?

Glendale is in CA, which has an income tax rate of 8%.

What is the climate like in Glendale?

Glendale enjoys approximately 280 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 88°F, while winter lows can drop to around 48°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026
  • Housing Data: Zillow Research, 2026
  • Income & Employment: US Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2024
  • Utilities U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Data last updated: September 13, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.