Glendale AZ vs Tucson AZ — 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Glendale
271,118
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Glendale
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Glendale
35.7
Tucson
34.6
Tucson +
Foreign Born
Glendale
9.6%
Tucson
13.7%
Tucson +
White
Glendale
72.7%
Glendale +
Tucson
58.2%
Black
Glendale
3.4%
Tucson
5.0%
Tucson +
Asian
Glendale
6.6%
Glendale +
Tucson
3.1%
Hispanic
Glendale
17.5%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
Glendale
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 271,118 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 34.6 | Tucson + |
| Foreign Born | 9.6% | 13.7% | Tucson + |
| White | 72.7% | 58.2% | Glendale + |
| Black | 3.4% | 5.0% | Tucson + |
| Asian | 6.6% | 3.1% | Glendale + |
| Hispanic | 17.5% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Glendale
$121,351
Glendale +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Glendale
$49,825
Glendale +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Glendale
$59,120
Tucson
$59,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Glendale
3.3%
Glendale +
Tucson
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Glendale
5.1%
Glendale +
Tucson
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Glendale
47.5%
Glendale +
Tucson
30.2%
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $121,351 | $54,546 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,825 | $31,152 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% | 6.4% | Glendale + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.1% | 18.8% | Glendale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.5% | 30.2% | Glendale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Glendale
$408,630
Tucson
$324,946
Tucson +
Homeownership Rate
Glendale
73.9%
Glendale +
Tucson
51.7%
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $408,630 | $324,946 | Tucson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.9% | 51.7% | Glendale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
450
Tucson
450
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
2150
Tucson
2150
Tie
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 450 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 2150 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
32.9%
Glendale +
Tucson
33.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
11.7%
Tucson
11.5%
Tucson +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Glendale
16.7%
Glendale +
Tucson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Glendale
17.6%
Tucson
15.7%
Tucson +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Glendale
15.7%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Glendale
13.2%
Tucson
12.5%
Tucson +
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 33.5% | Glendale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 11.5% | Tucson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 18.3% | Glendale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 15.7% | Tucson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 12.5% | Tucson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
N/A
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
N/A
Tucson
12.2 in
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 69.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 12.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Glendale
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Glendale
75.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Glendale
28.0 min
Tucson
23.9 min
Tucson +
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.0 min | 23.9 min | Tucson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Glendale leads in median household income at $121,351, while tucson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,946. On public safety, Tucson is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Glendale. Glendale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Glendale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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