Glendale vs Fresno: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Glendale, Arizona compare to Fresno, California? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Glendale is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 4% lower in Glendale compared to Fresno, while rent is 3% higher. State income tax is 2.5% in AZ vs 13.3% in CA.
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Fresno, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $310,000 | $321,800 | -3.7% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,268 | $1,227 | +3.3% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $66,375 | $63,001 | +5.4% |
| Per Capita Income | $30,316 | $29,293 | +3.5% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 2.5% | 13.3% | -81.2% |
| Combined Sales Tax | 8.4% | 8.7% | -3.6% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 248,083 | 541,528 | -54.2% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Glendale
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Fresno
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Glendale costs $310,000 compared to $321,800 in Fresno — a 4% discount.
- Rent: Median rent is $1,268/mo in Glendale vs $1,227/mo in Fresno.
- Income: Median household income is $66,375 in Glendale and $63,001 in Fresno.
- Taxes: State income tax is 2.5% in Arizona vs 13.3% in California.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).