Glendale AZ vs Seattle WA — 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%

Seattle, WA

Washington · Population: 741,440

  • Median HH Income$121,984
  • Median Home Price$871,599
  • Unemployment4.2%
  • Bachelor's+67.5%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Glendale
271,118
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Glendale
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Glendale
35.7
Seattle
35.5
Seattle +
Foreign Born
Glendale
9.6%
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
White
Glendale
72.7%
Glendale +
Seattle
61.8%
Black
Glendale
3.4%
Seattle
6.6%
Seattle +
Asian
Glendale
6.6%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Glendale
17.5%
Glendale +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
Glendale
N/A
Seattle
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Glendale
$121,351
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Glendale
$49,825
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Glendale
$59,120
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
Glendale
3.3%
Glendale +
Seattle
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Glendale
5.1%
Glendale +
Seattle
9.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Glendale
47.5%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Glendale
$408,630
Glendale +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Glendale
73.9%
Glendale +
Seattle
44.3%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
450
Seattle
383
Seattle +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
2150
Glendale +
Seattle
3409

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
32.9%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
11.7%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Glendale
16.7%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Glendale
17.6%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Glendale
15.7%
Glendale +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Glendale
13.2%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
N/A
Seattle
52.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
N/A
Seattle
37.5 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Glendale
7.1 µg/m³
Glendale +
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Glendale
75.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Glendale
28.0 min
Glendale +
Seattle
28.8 min

Which City is Right for You?

Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, while glendale offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $408,630. On public safety, Seattle is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 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, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.

Compare More Cities

About Glendale & Seattle