| Index | Glendale | Wisconsin | National |
| Cost of living | 105 | 96 | 100 |
| Groceries | 100 | 99 | 100 |
| Health care | 100 | 98 | 100 |
| Housing | 118 | 89 | 100 |
| Transportation | 101 | 98 | 100 |
| Utilities | 102 | 101 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 101 | 98 | 100 |
| Household Items | 98 | 99 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 96 | 98 | 100 |

Knowing the cost of living in Glendale allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Glendale stands at 105, marking it 5% higher than the national average.
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, household expenses 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.
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 20.4% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 13.9% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Glendale boasting a median household income of $114,015, which is 40.2% higher than the national average.
Groceries: Grocery expenditures have undergone notable escalation over the last 2-3 years. In some markets, the cost of food products has surged by more than 20%, while others have experienced only modest increments. These fluctuations in food costs can have a significant impact on the overall cost of living in any region. In Glendale, the groceries index registers 0.5% lower than the national average.
Taxes: Regions that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an increased cost of living. Higher taxes for everyday necessities such as clothing, utilities and food inevitably leads to higher expenditures. Additionally, a higher income tax rate can also play a role in elevating the overall cost of living. In Glendale, the prevailing sales tax rate starts at 5%, and income tax rates kick off at 3.54%.
Subsidies: Certain regions may provide government subsidies or assistance initiatives designed to alleviate the cost of living burden on their residents. These programs encompass a wide range of support mechanisms, such as 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 farming subsidies. Areas with fewer subsidy offerings might experience an elevation in their cost of living.
The Glendale cost of living data displayed above uses a U.S. average baseline of 100 to provide a practical way to compare living expenses across cities. Housing estimates incorporate U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are generated using AI-assisted models based on everyday expense expectations, regional pricing trends, climate, transportation patterns, and local economic conditions. These values are designed for directional city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $139,626 | $11,636 | $3,258 | $4,189 |
| Renters | $67,739 | $5,645 | $1,580 | $2,032 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Wisconsin | 5% | 6.75% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Wisconsin | 3.54% | 7.65% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Milwaukee, WI | 605,531 | 93 | 7.2% |
| West Milwaukee, WI | 4,258 | 92 | 8.3% |
| Lannon, WI | 1,221 | 94 | 6.0% |
| St. Francis, WI | 9,923 | 95 | 4.9% |
| West Allis, WI | 61,432 | 93 | 6.8% |
| Glendale, WI | 13,179 | 105 | 5.3% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Tehachapi, CA | 13,179 | 118 | 17.7% |
| Willow Grove, PA | 13,179 | 113 | 13.1% |
| Gaffney, SC | 13,179 | 87 | 12.9% |
| Harrison, OH | 13,180 | 94 | 6.0% |
| Crowley, LA | 13,176 | 91 | 8.8% |
| Glendale, WI | 13,179 | 105 | 5.3% |