City comparison
Yes. Anaheim's crime index is 143 versus 144 in Glendale, and its violent crime index is 165 versus 135, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Glendale is cheaper. Median rent is $1,528 a month versus $2,175 in Anaheim.
The cost gap between Anaheim and Glendale is the real story here. Glendale comes in 30% cheaper on typical rent ($2,175 vs $1,528), which over a year adds up to $7,764. Median household income runs $95,227 in Anaheim and $73,530 in Glendale.
Anaheim is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Glendale makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Anaheim is the stronger move.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Glendale at $1,528 average has pockets that run $1,328 and others at $1,928: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Anaheim and Glendale are 330 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,175 a month in Anaheim to $1,528 a month in Glendale, down $647 a month (30%).
Median household income goes from $95,227 in Anaheim to $73,530 in Glendale, down $21,697 (23%).
The crime index goes from 143 in Anaheim to 144 in Glendale, up 1 points (1%).
The move
Glendale and Anaheim are 330 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,528 a month in Glendale to $2,175 a month in Anaheim, up $647 a month (42%).
Median household income goes from $73,530 in Glendale to $95,227 in Anaheim, up $21,697 (30%).
The crime index goes from 144 in Glendale to 143 in Anaheim, down 1 points (1%).
Anaheim, CA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Glendale, AZ
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Anaheim and Glendale? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
30% cheaper
Glendale rent is 30% cheaper than Anaheim
Anaheim
$2,175/mo
Glendale
Winner$1,528/mo
Typical rent runs $1,528 a month in Glendale versus $2,175 in Anaheim, so Glendale is 30% cheaper. That's roughly $647/month back in your pocket ($7,764/year). Over five years that's $38,820 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Anaheim, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Glendale is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Anaheim? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
30% higher
Anaheim's median income is 30% higher than Glendale
Anaheim
Winner$95,227
Glendale
$73,530
Median household income is $95,227 in Anaheim versus $73,530 in Glendale, so typical pay runs 30% higher in Anaheim (about $21,697 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Anaheim is the stronger labor market on paper. Glendale can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
1% lower crime
Anaheim's crime index is 1% lower than Glendale
Anaheim
Winner143 (100 = avg)
Glendale
144 (100 = avg)
Anaheim's crime index is 143 versus 144 in Glendale (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 1% lower in Anaheim. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Anaheim, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Glendale. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
3% more comfortable
Anaheim weather is 3% more comfortable than Glendale
Anaheim
Winner76°F avg · 83°F highs · comfort 100/100
Glendale
81°F avg · 87°F highs · comfort 97/100
Anaheim averages about 76°F (83°F highs); Glendale averages about 81°F (87°F highs). Anaheim sits near 76°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Glendale averages around 81°F. Anaheim scores 3% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Glendale if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside plus year-round outdoor access
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 30% higher ($95,227), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 76°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Anaheim is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 1% lower than Glendale (143 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Glendale
Glendale is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 30% cheaper here at about $1,528 a month. Choose Glendale if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Bottom line
Anaheim runs $2,175/month while Glendale sits at $1,528 — roughly 30% lower on typical leases. Unless your offer letter is Anaheim-sized, that monthly gap compounds fast.
Glendale rent at $1,528/month is still below Anaheim's $2,175, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Weather averages land near 76°F in Anaheim and 81°F in Glendale.
Most movers who prioritize housing cost land in Glendale; Anaheim only makes sense when your offer letter is already written for Anaheim at $95,227 income.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Anaheim and Glendale, plus other cities in CA and AZ.
