Glendale CA 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, CA
California · Population: 192,270
- Median HH Income$84,262
- Median Home Price$1,205,826
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.5%
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
192,270
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Glendale
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
Median Age
Glendale
41.4
Raleigh
34.7
Raleigh +
Foreign Born
Glendale
51.0%
Glendale +
Raleigh
13.6%
White
Glendale
67.4%
Glendale +
Raleigh
53.8%
Black
Glendale
1.7%
Raleigh
27.5%
Raleigh +
Asian
Glendale
13.3%
Glendale +
Raleigh
4.7%
Hispanic
Glendale
18.5%
Glendale +
Raleigh
12.7%
Spanish at Home
Glendale
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 192,270 | 470,763 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.4 | 34.7 | Raleigh + |
| Foreign Born | 51.0% | 13.6% | Glendale + |
| White | 67.4% | 53.8% | Glendale + |
| Black | 1.7% | 27.5% | Raleigh + |
| Asian | 13.3% | 4.7% | Glendale + |
| Hispanic | 18.5% | 12.7% | Glendale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Glendale
$84,262
Glendale +
Raleigh
$82,424
Per Capita Income
Glendale
$46,597
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Glendale
$77,230
Glendale +
Raleigh
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Glendale
8.2%
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
Poverty Rate
Glendale
13.4%
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Glendale
45.5%
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,262 | $82,424 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,597 | $49,948 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Glendale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 4.5% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.4% | 11.4% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.5% | 52.9% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Glendale
$1,205,826
Raleigh
$435,807
Raleigh +
Homeownership Rate
Glendale
35.3%
Raleigh
51.2%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,205,826 | $435,807 | Raleigh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 35.3% | 51.2% | Raleigh + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
503
Raleigh
398
Raleigh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
2388
Raleigh
1999
Raleigh +
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 398 | Raleigh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1999 | Raleigh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
24.5%
Glendale +
Raleigh
30.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
10.9%
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Glendale
16.4%
Glendale +
Raleigh
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Glendale
6.8%
Glendale +
Raleigh
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Glendale
15.6%
Raleigh
15.3%
Raleigh +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Glendale
11.5%
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.5% | 30.9% | Glendale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 9.1% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 16.6% | Glendale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 9.7% | Glendale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.3% | Raleigh + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 10.5% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
64.1°F
Raleigh
61.1°F
Raleigh +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
17.3 in
Glendale +
Raleigh
46.2 in
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.1°F | 61.1°F | Raleigh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.3 in | 46.2 in | Glendale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Glendale
7.9 µg/m³
Glendale +
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Glendale
75.0%
Raleigh
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Glendale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Glendale
30.2 min
Raleigh
25.1 min
Raleigh +
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.2 min | 25.1 min | Raleigh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Glendale leads in median household income at $84,262, while raleigh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,807. On public safety, Raleigh is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Glendale. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, 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%.
Compare More Cities
Glendale, CA vs New York, NYGlendale, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Glendale, CAGlendale, CA vs Houston, TXGlendale, CA vs Phoenix, AZGlendale, CA vs Philadelphia, PA