Glendale CA 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, CA
California · Population: 192,270
- Median HH Income$84,262
- Median Home Price$1,205,826
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.5%
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
192,270
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Glendale
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Glendale
41.4
Seattle
35.5
Seattle +
Foreign Born
Glendale
51.0%
Glendale +
Seattle
19.9%
White
Glendale
67.4%
Glendale +
Seattle
61.8%
Black
Glendale
1.7%
Seattle
6.6%
Seattle +
Asian
Glendale
13.3%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Glendale
18.5%
Glendale +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
Glendale
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 192,270 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.4 | 35.5 | Seattle + |
| Foreign Born | 51.0% | 19.9% | Glendale + |
| White | 67.4% | 61.8% | Glendale + |
| Black | 1.7% | 6.6% | Seattle + |
| Asian | 13.3% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 18.5% | 8.2% | Glendale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Glendale
$84,262
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Glendale
$46,597
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Glendale
$77,230
Glendale +
Seattle
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Glendale
8.2%
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Poverty Rate
Glendale
13.4%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
Glendale
45.5%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,262 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,597 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | Glendale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 4.2% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.4% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.5% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Glendale
$1,205,826
Seattle
$871,599
Seattle +
Homeownership Rate
Glendale
35.3%
Seattle
44.3%
Seattle +
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,205,826 | $871,599 | Seattle + |
| Homeownership Rate | 35.3% | 44.3% | Seattle + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
503
Seattle
383
Seattle +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
2388
Glendale +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Seattle + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | Glendale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
24.5%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
10.9%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Glendale
16.4%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Glendale
6.8%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Glendale
15.6%
Glendale +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Glendale
11.5%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.5% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 19.0% | Glendale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
64.1°F
Seattle
52.6°F
Seattle +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
17.3 in
Glendale +
Seattle
37.5 in
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.1°F | 52.6°F | Seattle + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.3 in | 37.5 in | Glendale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Glendale
7.9 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Glendale
75.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Glendale
30.2 min
Seattle
28.8 min
Seattle +
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.2 min | 28.8 min | Seattle + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, while seattle offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $871,599. On public safety, Seattle is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Glendale. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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