Glendale CA vs Tacoma 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Glendale
192,270
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Glendale
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Glendale
41.4
Tacoma
37.3
Tacoma +
Foreign Born
Glendale
51.0%
Glendale +
Tacoma
12.2%
White
Glendale
67.4%
Glendale +
Tacoma
59.4%
Black
Glendale
1.7%
Tacoma
10.5%
Tacoma +
Asian
Glendale
13.3%
Glendale +
Tacoma
8.8%
Hispanic
Glendale
18.5%
Glendale +
Tacoma
13.1%
Spanish at Home
Glendale
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 192,270 | 220,482 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.4 | 37.3 | Tacoma + |
| Foreign Born | 51.0% | 12.2% | Glendale + |
| White | 67.4% | 59.4% | Glendale + |
| Black | 1.7% | 10.5% | Tacoma + |
| Asian | 13.3% | 8.8% | Glendale + |
| Hispanic | 18.5% | 13.1% | Glendale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Glendale
$84,262
Glendale +
Tacoma
$83,857
Per Capita Income
Glendale
$46,597
Glendale +
Tacoma
$44,756
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Glendale
$77,230
Glendale +
Tacoma
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Glendale
8.2%
Tacoma
5.3%
Tacoma +
Poverty Rate
Glendale
13.4%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Glendale
45.5%
Glendale +
Tacoma
33.5%
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,262 | $83,857 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,597 | $44,756 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | Glendale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 5.3% | Tacoma + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.4% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.5% | 33.5% | Glendale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Glendale
$1,205,826
Tacoma
$496,966
Tacoma +
Homeownership Rate
Glendale
35.3%
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,205,826 | $496,966 | Tacoma + |
| Homeownership Rate | 35.3% | 56.5% | Tacoma + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
503
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
2388
Glendale +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | Glendale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
24.5%
Glendale +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
10.9%
Tacoma
10.9%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Glendale
16.4%
Glendale +
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Glendale
6.8%
Glendale +
Tacoma
9.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Glendale
15.6%
Glendale +
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Glendale
11.5%
Glendale +
Tacoma
11.9%
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.5% | 37.3% | Glendale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 10.9% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 18.7% | Glendale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 9.3% | Glendale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.8% | Glendale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 11.9% | Glendale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
64.1°F
Tacoma
53.5°F
Tacoma +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
17.3 in
Glendale +
Tacoma
39.2 in
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.1°F | 53.5°F | Tacoma + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.3 in | 39.2 in | Glendale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Glendale
7.9 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Glendale
75.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Glendale
30.2 min
Glendale +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.2 min | 31.1 min | Glendale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Glendale leads in median household income at $84,262, while tacoma offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $496,966. On public safety, Tacoma is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Glendale. Tacoma has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Glendale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.5%.
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