Glendale AZ vs Salinas CA — 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%
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Glendale
271,118
Glendale +
Salinas
161,993
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Glendale
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Glendale
35.7
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Glendale
9.6%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Glendale
72.7%
Glendale +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Glendale
3.4%
Glendale +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Glendale
6.6%
Glendale +
Salinas
5.7%
Hispanic
Glendale
17.5%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Glendale
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 271,118 | 161,993 | Glendale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 9.6% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 72.7% | 21.8% | Glendale + |
| Black | 3.4% | 1.4% | Glendale + |
| Asian | 6.6% | 5.7% | Glendale + |
| Hispanic | 17.5% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Glendale
$121,351
Glendale +
Salinas
$89,150
Per Capita Income
Glendale
$49,825
Glendale +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Glendale
$59,120
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Glendale
3.3%
Glendale +
Salinas
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Glendale
5.1%
Glendale +
Salinas
14.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Glendale
47.5%
Glendale +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $121,351 | $89,150 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,825 | $28,813 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% | 4.7% | Glendale + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.1% | 14.2% | Glendale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.5% | 15.5% | Glendale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Glendale
$408,630
Glendale +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Glendale
73.9%
Glendale +
Salinas
47.0%
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $408,630 | $751,711 | Glendale + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.9% | 47.0% | Glendale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
450
Glendale +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
2150
Glendale +
Salinas
2388
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 503 | Glendale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 2388 | Glendale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
32.9%
Salinas
32.8%
Salinas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
11.7%
Glendale +
Salinas
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Glendale
16.7%
Glendale +
Salinas
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Glendale
17.6%
Glendale +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Glendale
15.7%
Glendale +
Salinas
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Glendale
13.2%
Salinas
12.9%
Salinas +
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 32.8% | Salinas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 12.4% | Glendale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 18.2% | Glendale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 22.4% | Glendale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 16.8% | Glendale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 12.9% | Salinas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
N/A
Salinas
57.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
N/A
Salinas
15.5 in
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 15.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Glendale
7.1 µg/m³
Glendale +
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Glendale
75.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Glendale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Glendale
28.0 min
Glendale +
Salinas
28.8 min
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.0 min | 28.8 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 Salinas. 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, Salinas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.8%.
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