Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Glendale to Los Angeles
Based on 2024 ACS 5-year data, Glendale has a higher median household income ($88,393 vs $81,939) and higher median home value ($1,102,300 vs $921,200) than Los Angeles, but also higher median gross rent ($2,182 vs $1,933). Glendale residents have a slightly shorter derived one-way commute (30 vs 33 minutes). Los Angeles uses a simplified state individual income-tax reference of 9.30% in its calculator, while Glendale’s profile excludes state tax due to lack of approved reference. The uniform non-housing baseline of $1,250/month is a model assumption applied to both. These factors create a trade-off where Glendale offers higher income and home values at higher housing costs and no modeled tax, while Los Angeles has lower income and home values but lower rent, longer commute, and includes a modeled tax rate.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Los Angeles → GlendaleMoving from Glendale to Los Angeles
Median Rent Impact
-$249/mo
Moving to Los Angeles saves ~$2,988/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
54/ 100
A close, nuanced move
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$4,956after 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, Los Angeles is about $2,988 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$88,393
Los Angeles household income$81,939
Glendale gross rent$2,182
Los Angeles gross rent$1,933
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Glendale | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 190,748 | 3,857,263 |
| Median household income | $88,393 | $81,939 |
| Median gross rent | $2,182 | $1,933 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $1,102,300 | $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
- Median gross rent
- Median owner-occupied home value
- Derived one-way commute time
- State individual income-tax treatment in calculator
- Uniform non-housing cost baseline
What each city wins
Glendale
Median rent consumes nearly 30% of median income.. Watch high home values reflect strong demand but limit entry for moderate-income buyers..
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 do median rents compare between Glendale and Los Angeles?
Glendale’s median gross rent is $2,182 per month, which is $249 higher than Los Angeles’ median gross rent of $1,933 per month, according to 2024 ACS 5-year estimates.
What is the difference in median household income between the two cities?
Glendale’s median household income is $88,393, which is $6,454 higher than Los Angeles’ $81,939, based on the 2024 ACS 5-year survey.
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.