A
4%
Overall NAT. AVG.
9%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
21%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Glendale Arizona National
Cost of living104101100
Goods & Services91104100
Groceries104102100
Health care9494100
Housing12197100
Transportation102106100
Utilities9995100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Glendale, AZ

The cost of living in Glendale affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Glendale is 104, which is 4% higher than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.

The cost of living in Glendale is about average when compared to all other cities across the nation. You can expect that everyday items like food, goods and services and utility bills will be no more expensive than any other average city. Residents can anticipate living expenses that remain in line with the national average, ensuring a manageable financial burden, making it an attractive choice for those seeking affordability without the constraints of higher everyday expenditures.

Housing costs significantly influence the Glendale cost of living index, typically accounting for a substantial portion of one's post-tax income. Regrettably, within this particular region, expenses related to both residential ownership and renting exceeded those observed in an average city by 20.8%. This entails elements such as housing and rental prices, mortgage interest rates and insurance costs.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Glendale?

Locals have the inside scoop on their city. So, we polled 11 residents in Glendale to learn how they view the cost of living. We asked how they felt about the cost of living in their area, and if they thought that prices were increasing, decreasing or staying the same. The verdict? 55% find it reasonable with decreasing prices, but 45% think it's quite pricey, with prices that continue to rise.

Is Glendale Affordable?

Wondering if Glendale is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Glendale, for example, the median home price is 25.2% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 10.7% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Glendale boasting a median household income of $56,991, which is 3% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Glendale?

Transportation: When public transportation options are limited or non-existent, residents frequently resort to vehicle ownership, which can significantly contribute to the overall cost of living. Monthly financial obligations encompass fuel, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or financing expenses. In Glendale, the transportation index is 2% higher than the national average.

Subsidies: Some areas might offer government subsidies or assistance programs that help lower cost of living for residents. These programs can include anything from Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and crop subsidies. Areas that offer less subsidies, could see an increase in their cost of living.

Healthcare: Healthcare expenses and insurance premiums can vary significantly depending on the specific city or state. Factors such as accessibility to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's visits, dental care expenses, prescription costs and specialized medical care fees can all influence the overall cost of living. In Glendale, healthcare costs are 6% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Glendale cost of living data displayed above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure of living cost differences in urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, it compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services. These items have been meticulously selected to represent various consumer expenditure categories, in 6 categories. Weightings assigned to cost differentials draw from government survey data tracking spending patterns among professional and executive households. While the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Glendale is 3% higher than the Arizona average
  • The cost of living in Glendale is 4% higher than the national average
  • Glendale housing is 21% higher than the national average
  • Arizona general sales tax is 10% higher than the national average
  • Arizona state income tax is 4% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Glendale

See all the best places to live around Glendale

Compare Glendale, AZ Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$78,211$6,518$1,825$2,347
      Renters$39,518$3,293$922$1,186
      The affordability of the housing market in Glendale, AZ as well as the overall cost of living can be predicted by what percent of the monthly income is spent on housing related costs. This is konwn as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The overall rule of thumb is that no more than 28% of your gross income should be spent on the overall costs related to housing and no more than 36% of gross income on all expenses and debts. Among Glendale homeowners, the median income is $78,211. This indicates that a monthly maximum of $1,825 should be spent by homeowners on all housing related costs. Renters have a median income of $39,518. This indicates that renters would have a maximum of $922 for their rent related monthly costs.

      Arizona Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Arizona 5.6% 10.725%

      Arizona Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Arizona 2.5% 2.5%

      Goods & Services

      Item Glendale National avg. Difference
      Haircut $18.21$24.2624.9%
      Beauty Salon $55.83$45.5622.5%
      Toothpaste $3.54$3.704.3%
      Shampoo $1.32$1.283.3%
      Movie $9.71$12.1320.0%
      Bowling $21.97$18.0022.1%

      Groceries

      Item Glendale National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.17$5.845.6%
      Fried Chicken $1.41$1.5710.4%
      Milk $4.78$4.672.4%
      Potatoes $4.60$4.936.8%
      Pizza $12.12$12.090.2%
      Beer $11.51$10.4110.6%

      Health Care

      Item Glendale National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $107.63$125.6814.4%
      Doctor $99.00$135.7827.1%
      Dentist $120.50$113.296.4%
      Ibuprofen $11.04$10.653.6%
      Lipitor $486.38$468.603.8%

      Housing

      Item Glendale National avg. Difference
      Home Price $231,200.00$184,700.0025.2%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,561.11$2,346.699.1%
      Apartment Rent $1,051.00$949.0010.7%

      Transportation

      Item Glendale National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.54$3.462.3%
      Tire Balancing $60.83$59.921.5%

      Utilities

      Item Glendale National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $193.93$193.990.0%
      Phone $186.48$192.253.0%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Goodyear Village, AZ2778613.9%
      Guadalupe, AZ6,5729010.4%
      Deer Creek, AZ184945.6%
      Youngtown, AZ6,8371000.3%
      Sun City, AZ38,8881021.9%
      Glendale, AZ250,2901043.7%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Longueuil, QC249,920n/a 
      Reno, NV250,90312322.6%
      Gilbert, AZ248,34913232.0%
      North Las Vegas, NV247,2481088.0%
      Winston-Salem, NC245,787954.7%
      Glendale, AZ250,2901043.7%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.