salaryRent is higher than in 88% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 11.6 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Most households rent (65%), so there are plenty of rental options.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $103,880 a year. That is $50 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other California cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of California. It is number 411 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
Compare Glendale with other big cities
Compare Glendale to 149 other cities →
How much do households earn in Glendale?
Share of households by yearly income. 35.9% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Glendale
| Size | Glendale | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,832 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,021 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,498 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,112 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,182 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Glendale overall?
Everyday prices in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim metro area are 14% above the U.S. average (index 113.6, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Glendale
Life in Glendale
What jobs pay in Glendale
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | $194,410 | 16.0% |
| Physician Assistant | $161,890 | 19.3% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $161,470 | 19.3% |
| Software Developer | $160,920 | 19.4% |
| Pharmacist | $157,440 | 19.8% |
| Registered Nurse | $135,560 | 23.0% |
| Operations Manager | $125,830 | 24.8% |
| Dental Hygienist | $122,980 | 25.3% |
| Police Officer | $121,980 | 25.5% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $121,560 | 25.6% |
| Civil Engineer | $108,640 | 28.7% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $101,860 | 30.6% |
| Firefighter | $98,050 | 31.8% |
| Accountant | $94,360 | 33.0% |
| Market Research Analyst | $82,990 | 37.6% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $79,310 | 39.3% |
| Carpenter | $75,740 | 41.1% |
| HVAC Technician | $73,830 | 42.2% |
| Electrician | $73,810 | 42.2% |
| Plumber | $71,110 | 43.8% |
| Truck Driver | $60,340 | 51.6% |
| Customer Service Representative | $48,840 | 63.8% |
| Medical Assistant | $47,760 | 65.3% |
| Nursing Assistant | $47,380 | 65.8% |
| Restaurant Cook | $44,460 | 70.1% |
| Warehouse Worker | $42,390 | 73.5% |
| Retail Salesperson | $37,700 | 82.7% |
| Cashier | $36,980 | 84.3% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $35,850 | 86.9% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Glendale?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $5,051 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $1,102,300 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $110,230 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Glendale, CA?
Renting in Glendale costs a median of about $2,597 a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in Glendale?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $103,880 a year, or $50 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Glendale cheap or expensive?
Glendale is rated Expensive: rent takes 32.7% of the typical household income of $95,332. It ranks 411th cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Glendale?
The median homeowner in Glendale pays $6,679 a year in property taxes, about 0.61% of the median home value.
Is Glendale more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 14% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Glendale?
The median home value in Glendale is $1,102,300, about 11.6 times the typical yearly household income.
190,748 people live in Glendale. Numbers are typical (middle) values.