Glendale CA vs San Francisco 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, CA
California · Population: 192,270
- Median HH Income$84,262
- Median Home Price$1,205,826
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.5%
San Francisco, CA
California · Population: 836,321
- Median HH Income$141,446
- Median Home Price$1,369,171
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+60.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Glendale
192,270
San Francisco
836,321
San Francisco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Glendale
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
Median Age
Glendale
41.4
San Francisco
39.7
San Francisco +
Foreign Born
Glendale
51.0%
Glendale +
San Francisco
34.2%
White
Glendale
67.4%
Glendale +
San Francisco
40.5%
Black
Glendale
1.7%
San Francisco
5.1%
San Francisco +
Asian
Glendale
13.3%
San Francisco
35.0%
San Francisco +
Hispanic
Glendale
18.5%
Glendale +
San Francisco
15.9%
Spanish at Home
Glendale
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
| Metric | Glendale, CA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 192,270 | 836,321 | San Francisco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.4 | 39.7 | San Francisco + |
| Foreign Born | 51.0% | 34.2% | Glendale + |
| White | 67.4% | 40.5% | Glendale + |
| Black | 1.7% | 5.1% | San Francisco + |
| Asian | 13.3% | 35.0% | San Francisco + |
| Hispanic | 18.5% | 15.9% | Glendale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Glendale
$84,262
San Francisco
$141,446
San Francisco +
Per Capita Income
Glendale
$46,597
San Francisco
$90,285
San Francisco +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Glendale
$77,230
San Francisco
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Glendale
8.2%
San Francisco
5.6%
San Francisco +
Poverty Rate
Glendale
13.4%
San Francisco
10.6%
San Francisco +
Bachelor's Degree+
Glendale
45.5%
San Francisco
60.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Glendale, CA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,262 | $141,446 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,597 | $90,285 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 5.6% | San Francisco + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.4% | 10.6% | San Francisco + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.5% | 60.1% | San Francisco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Glendale
$1,205,826
Glendale +
San Francisco
$1,369,171
Homeownership Rate
Glendale
35.3%
San Francisco
38.5%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Glendale, CA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,205,826 | $1,369,171 | Glendale + |
| Homeownership Rate | 35.3% | 38.5% | San Francisco + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
503
San Francisco
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
2388
San Francisco
2388
Tie
| Metric | Glendale, CA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
24.5%
San Francisco
17.5%
San Francisco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
10.9%
San Francisco
9.7%
San Francisco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Glendale
16.4%
San Francisco
14.5%
San Francisco +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Glendale
6.8%
San Francisco
6.6%
San Francisco +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Glendale
15.6%
Glendale +
San Francisco
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Glendale
11.5%
San Francisco
9.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Glendale, CA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.5% | 17.5% | San Francisco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 9.7% | San Francisco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 14.5% | San Francisco + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 6.6% | San Francisco + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 19.6% | Glendale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 9.1% | San Francisco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
64.1°F
San Francisco
55.3°F
San Francisco +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
17.3 in
Glendale +
San Francisco
20.7 in
| Metric | Glendale, CA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.1°F | 55.3°F | San Francisco + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.3 in | 20.7 in | Glendale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Glendale
7.9 µg/m³
San Francisco
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Glendale
75.0%
San Francisco
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Glendale, CA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Glendale
30.2 min
Glendale +
San Francisco
33.9 min
| Metric | Glendale, CA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.2 min | 33.9 min | Glendale + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Francisco leads in median household income at $141,446, while glendale offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $1,205,826. On public safety, San Francisco is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Glendale. San Francisco has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and San Francisco has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Francisco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 17.5%.
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