CostIndexUSA

Glendale, AZ vs San Francisco, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableAZ
Glendale
103.3
overall index
$1,725/mo rent
CA
San Francisco
115.6
overall index
$3,075/mo rent

Glendale is moderately cheaper than San Francisco — 11.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Glendale, you would need $89,500 in San Francisco. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+60.6%
Glendale
121.2
San Francisco
194.7
🛒 Groceries+14.2%
Glendale
95
San Francisco
108.5
🚗 Transportation+2.1%
Glendale
109.2
San Francisco
111.5
🏥 Healthcare+2.1%
Glendale
98.8
San Francisco
100.9
Utilities+85.0%
Glendale
93.3
San Francisco
172.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Glendale to see what you'd need to earn in San Francisco to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in San Francisco, CA
$89,500
$9,500 more needed in San Francisco

Formula: salary × (115.6 ÷ 103.3) = salary × 1.1191. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Glendale, AZ

Median Home Price
$442,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,725
Housing Index
121.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.4×

San Francisco, CA

Median Home Price
$1,090,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,075
Housing Index
194.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
29.5×

San Francisco has 60.6% higher housing costs compared to Glendale.

Income & Job Market

Glendale, AZ

Median Household Income
$85,700
Per Capita Income
$48,800
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
248,325
Top Industries
HealthcareRetailManufacturingTourismGovernment

San Francisco, CA

Median Household Income
$127,800
Per Capita Income
$72,800
Unemployment Rate
5%
Population
873,965
Top Industries
TechnologyFinanceTourismHealthcareMedia

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Glendale, AZ
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

San Francisco, CA
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

71% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.