Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Glendale to Los Angeles
Based on 2024 ACS 5-year data, Glendale, AZ has a median household income of $73,530, median gross rent of $1,528, median home value of $387,500, and a 30-minute commute. Los Angeles, CA reports $81,939 income, $1,933 rent, $921,200 home value, and a 33-minute commute. While LA offers higher income, its housing costs are substantially elevated relative to earnings, and commute times are longer. Glendale presents a more favorable income-to-housing ratio with a shorter commute, though LA’s income advantage may offset some disparities for certain households. No universal winner is declared, as trade-offs depend on individual priorities regarding affordability, space, and access.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Los Angeles → GlendaleMoving from Glendale to Los Angeles
Median Rent Impact
+$405/mo
Moving to Los Angeles costs ~$4,860 more/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+9.3%
~$9,300 more state tax on a $100k salary in California.
Daily Commute Difference
+3 min / day
Difference of ~25 hours per year spent commuting based on 2024 ACS midpoint averages.
Your move
Compare the life behind the offer.
Adjust the assumptions. Every result updates instantly.
Search all 32,330 U.S. Census places directly below.Instant results use official 2024 ACS place data. Places with incomplete required signals remain visible in search but cannot be selected.
Directional estimate using ACS citywide benchmarks. Verified profiles may include a simplified state-tax reference; automatically added profiles exclude state tax until an official reference is approved. Exact tax, benefits, debt, housing, insurance, and personal circumstances may materially change the result.
LIVE VERDICTGLE → LAX
45/ 100
The offer needs work
The destination absorbs more of the offer.Estimated annual life delta−$2,892after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Best gainA large labor market with a household-income benchmark above New York's
Watch closelyA $921,200 ownership benchmark and a conservative marginal California tax reference
The short answer
In the uniform one-person renting baseline, Glendale is about $4,860 lower per year. This is not a verdict by itself: replace city medians with the actual offer, address, household, benefits, insurance, and tax details before deciding.
Glendale household income$73,530
Los Angeles household income$81,939
Glendale gross rent$1,528
Los Angeles gross rent$1,933
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Glendale | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 252,833 | 3,857,263 |
| Median household income | $73,530 | $81,939 |
| Median gross rent | $1,528 | $1,933 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $387,500 | $921,200 |
| State-tax treatment | Excluded | 9.3% simplified |
Time and daily routine
The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 30 minutes in Glendale and 33 minutes in Los Angeles. This citywide estimate cannot capture a specific route, remote-work schedule, or transit choice, so the calculator converts it into an explicit time difference instead of hiding it in a subjective lifestyle score.
Decision checklist
- Median household income comparison
- Median gross rent and home value
- Average one-way commute time
- State income tax treatment in model
What each city wins
Glendale
Median rent consumes roughly a quarter of median income.. Watch lower housing cost burden may be offset by high non-housing essentials per model assumptions..
Los Angeles
A large labor market with a household-income benchmark above New York's. Watch a $921,200 ownership benchmark and a conservative marginal california tax reference.
Frequently asked questions
How does housing affordability compare between Glendale and Los Angeles?
Glendale’s median gross rent is $1,528 versus LA’s $1,933, and median home values are $387,500 vs. $921,200. Despite LA’s higher income, Glendale offers a more favorable income-to-housing-cost ratio based on 2024 ACS data.
What is the difference in commute times between the two cities?
Glendale has a derived one-way commute estimate of 30 minutes, while Los Angeles averages 33 minutes, based on weighted midpoints from the 2024 ACS table B08303. LA residents spend slightly more time commuting on average.
Source boundary: Core figures come from the 2024 ACS five-year tables linked on each city profile. Commute is derived from B08303 midpoint weighting. A state-tax value without an approved official reference is excluded and disclosed. This comparison becomes index-eligible only after its unique analysis clears the content quality gate.