Fullerton CA vs Glendale AZ — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Fullerton, CA
California · Population: 141,278
- Median HH Income$104,219
- Median Home Price$1,047,700
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+43.6%
Glendale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 271,118
- Median HH Income$121,351
- Median Home Price$408,630
- Unemployment3.3%
- Bachelor's+47.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fullerton
141,278
Glendale
271,118
Glendale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fullerton
N/A
Glendale
N/A
Median Age
Fullerton
36.1
Glendale
35.7
Glendale +
Foreign Born
Fullerton
28.9%
Fullerton +
Glendale
9.6%
White
Fullerton
43.0%
Glendale
72.7%
Glendale +
Black
Fullerton
2.1%
Glendale
3.4%
Glendale +
Asian
Fullerton
24.5%
Fullerton +
Glendale
6.6%
Hispanic
Fullerton
39.6%
Fullerton +
Glendale
17.5%
Spanish at Home
Fullerton
N/A
Glendale
N/A
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Glendale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,278 | 271,118 | Glendale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 35.7 | Glendale + |
| Foreign Born | 28.9% | 9.6% | Fullerton + |
| White | 43.0% | 72.7% | Glendale + |
| Black | 2.1% | 3.4% | Glendale + |
| Asian | 24.5% | 6.6% | Fullerton + |
| Hispanic | 39.6% | 17.5% | Fullerton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fullerton
$104,219
Glendale
$121,351
Glendale +
Per Capita Income
Fullerton
$48,061
Glendale
$49,825
Glendale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fullerton
$77,230
Fullerton +
Glendale
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Fullerton
6.5%
Glendale
3.3%
Glendale +
Poverty Rate
Fullerton
12.2%
Glendale
5.1%
Glendale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fullerton
43.6%
Glendale
47.5%
Glendale +
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Glendale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,219 | $121,351 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,061 | $49,825 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Fullerton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 3.3% | Glendale + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 5.1% | Glendale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.6% | 47.5% | Glendale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fullerton
$1,047,700
Glendale
$408,630
Glendale +
Homeownership Rate
Fullerton
51.5%
Glendale
73.9%
Glendale +
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Glendale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,047,700 | $408,630 | Glendale + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 73.9% | Glendale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fullerton
503
Glendale
450
Glendale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fullerton
2388
Glendale
2150
Glendale +
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Glendale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 450 | Glendale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2150 | Glendale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
23.9%
Fullerton +
Glendale
32.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
10.9%
Fullerton +
Glendale
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fullerton
16.8%
Glendale
16.7%
Glendale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
10.2%
Fullerton +
Glendale
17.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
15.0%
Fullerton +
Glendale
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
9.2%
Fullerton +
Glendale
13.2%
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Glendale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.9% | 32.9% | Fullerton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 11.7% | Fullerton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 16.7% | Glendale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 17.6% | Fullerton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 15.7% | Fullerton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 13.2% | Fullerton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fullerton
65.1°F
Glendale
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fullerton
13.9 in
Glendale
N/A
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Glendale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fullerton
7.9 µg/m³
Glendale
7.1 µg/m³
Glendale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fullerton
75.0%
Glendale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Glendale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Glendale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fullerton
32.5 min
Glendale
28.0 min
Glendale +
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Glendale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 min | 28.0 min | Glendale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Glendale leads in median household income at $121,351, while glendale offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $408,630. On public safety, Glendale is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fullerton. Glendale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, and Glendale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fullerton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.9%.
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