Glendale AZ vs Raleigh NC — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Glendale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 271,118
- Median HH Income$121,351
- Median Home Price$408,630
- Unemployment3.3%
- Bachelor's+47.5%
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Glendale
271,118
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Glendale
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
Median Age
Glendale
35.7
Raleigh
34.7
Raleigh +
Foreign Born
Glendale
9.6%
Raleigh
13.6%
Raleigh +
White
Glendale
72.7%
Glendale +
Raleigh
53.8%
Black
Glendale
3.4%
Raleigh
27.5%
Raleigh +
Asian
Glendale
6.6%
Glendale +
Raleigh
4.7%
Hispanic
Glendale
17.5%
Glendale +
Raleigh
12.7%
Spanish at Home
Glendale
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 271,118 | 470,763 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 34.7 | Raleigh + |
| Foreign Born | 9.6% | 13.6% | Raleigh + |
| White | 72.7% | 53.8% | Glendale + |
| Black | 3.4% | 27.5% | Raleigh + |
| Asian | 6.6% | 4.7% | Glendale + |
| Hispanic | 17.5% | 12.7% | Glendale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Glendale
$121,351
Glendale +
Raleigh
$82,424
Per Capita Income
Glendale
$49,825
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Glendale
$59,120
Raleigh
$59,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Glendale
3.3%
Glendale +
Raleigh
4.5%
Poverty Rate
Glendale
5.1%
Glendale +
Raleigh
11.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Glendale
47.5%
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $121,351 | $82,424 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,825 | $49,948 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% | 4.5% | Glendale + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.1% | 11.4% | Glendale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.5% | 52.9% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Glendale
$408,630
Glendale +
Raleigh
$435,807
Homeownership Rate
Glendale
73.9%
Glendale +
Raleigh
51.2%
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $408,630 | $435,807 | Glendale + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.9% | 51.2% | Glendale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
450
Raleigh
398
Raleigh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
2150
Raleigh
1999
Raleigh +
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 398 | Raleigh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1999 | Raleigh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
32.9%
Raleigh
30.9%
Raleigh +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
11.7%
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Glendale
16.7%
Raleigh
16.6%
Raleigh +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Glendale
17.6%
Raleigh
9.7%
Raleigh +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Glendale
15.7%
Raleigh
15.3%
Raleigh +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Glendale
13.2%
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 30.9% | Raleigh + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 9.1% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 16.6% | Raleigh + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 9.7% | Raleigh + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 15.3% | Raleigh + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 10.5% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
N/A
Raleigh
61.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
N/A
Raleigh
46.2 in
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Glendale
7.1 µg/m³
Glendale +
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Glendale
75.0%
Raleigh
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Glendale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Glendale
28.0 min
Raleigh
25.1 min
Raleigh +
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.0 min | 25.1 min | Raleigh + |
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, Raleigh is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Glendale. 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, Raleigh scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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