Glendale CA vs Houston TX — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Glendale, CA
California · Population: 192,270
- Median HH Income$84,262
- Median Home Price$1,205,826
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.5%
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Glendale
192,270
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Glendale
N/A
Houston
N/A
Median Age
Glendale
41.4
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Foreign Born
Glendale
51.0%
Glendale +
Houston
28.8%
White
Glendale
67.4%
Glendale +
Houston
35.5%
Black
Glendale
1.7%
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Asian
Glendale
13.3%
Glendale +
Houston
6.9%
Hispanic
Glendale
18.5%
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Spanish at Home
Glendale
N/A
Houston
N/A
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 192,270 | 2,300,419 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.4 | 34.3 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 51.0% | 28.8% | Glendale + |
| White | 67.4% | 35.5% | Glendale + |
| Black | 1.7% | 22.9% | Houston + |
| Asian | 13.3% | 6.9% | Glendale + |
| Hispanic | 18.5% | 44.1% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Glendale
$84,262
Glendale +
Houston
$62,894
Per Capita Income
Glendale
$46,597
Glendale +
Houston
$41,142
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Glendale
$77,230
Glendale +
Houston
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Glendale
8.2%
Houston
6.7%
Houston +
Poverty Rate
Glendale
13.4%
Glendale +
Houston
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Glendale
45.5%
Glendale +
Houston
36.0%
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,262 | $62,894 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,597 | $41,142 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Glendale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 6.7% | Houston + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.4% | 19.7% | Glendale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.5% | 36.0% | Glendale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Glendale
$1,205,826
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Homeownership Rate
Glendale
35.3%
Houston
42.0%
Houston +
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,205,826 | $265,062 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 35.3% | 42.0% | Houston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
503
Houston
442
Houston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
2388
Houston
2339
Houston +
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | Houston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | Houston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
24.5%
Glendale +
Houston
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
10.9%
Glendale +
Houston
13.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Glendale
16.4%
Glendale +
Houston
17.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Glendale
6.8%
Glendale +
Houston
24.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Glendale
15.6%
Glendale +
Houston
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Glendale
11.5%
Glendale +
Houston
13.6%
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.5% | 38.0% | Glendale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 13.9% | Glendale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 17.1% | Glendale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 24.0% | Glendale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.7% | Glendale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 13.6% | Glendale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
64.1°F
Houston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
17.3 in
Glendale +
Houston
48.7 in
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.3 in | 48.7 in | Glendale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Glendale
7.9 µg/m³
Glendale +
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Glendale
75.0%
Glendale +
Houston
55.0%
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Glendale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Glendale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Glendale
30.2 min
Houston
29.6 min
Houston +
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.2 min | 29.6 min | Houston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Glendale leads in median household income at $84,262, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Houston is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Glendale. Houston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Glendale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Glendale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.5%.
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