City comparison
No. Glendale's crime index is 144 versus 434 in Oakland, and its violent crime index is 135 versus 491, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Glendale is cheaper. Median rent is $1,528 a month versus $1,979 in Oakland.
Safety is where Oakland and Glendale split most clearly. Glendale scores 290 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,979 in Oakland and $1,528 in Glendale.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Glendale costs less and Oakland pays more: the right call depends on whether you are optimizing for take-home pay or monthly burn rate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.
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
Oakland and Glendale are 638 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,979 a month in Oakland to $1,528 a month in Glendale, down $451 a month (23%).
Median household income goes from $101,600 in Oakland to $73,530 in Glendale, down $28,070 (28%).
The crime index goes from 434 in Oakland to 144 in Glendale, down 290 points (67%).
The move
Glendale and Oakland are 638 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,528 a month in Glendale to $1,979 a month in Oakland, up $451 a month (30%).
Median household income goes from $73,530 in Glendale to $101,600 in Oakland, up $28,070 (38%).
The crime index goes from 144 in Glendale to 434 in Oakland, up 290 points (201%).
Oakland, 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 Oakland and Glendale? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
23% cheaper
Glendale rent is 23% cheaper than Oakland
Oakland
$1,979/mo
Glendale
Winner$1,528/mo
Typical rent runs $1,528 a month in Glendale versus $1,979 in Oakland, so Glendale is 23% cheaper. That's roughly $451/month back in your pocket ($5,412/year). Over five years that's $27,060 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 Oakland, 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 Glendale? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
38% higher
Oakland's median income is 38% higher than Glendale
Oakland
Winner$101,600
Glendale
$73,530
Median household income is $101,600 in Oakland versus $73,530 in Glendale, so typical pay runs 38% higher in Oakland (about $28,070 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, Oakland 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
67% lower crime
Glendale's crime index is 67% lower than Oakland
Oakland
434 (100 = avg)
Glendale
Winner144 (100 = avg)
Glendale's crime index is 144 versus 434 in Oakland (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 67% lower in Glendale. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Glendale is the easier city. Oakland can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
3% more comfortable
Oakland weather is 3% more comfortable than Glendale
Oakland
Winner68°F avg · 80°F highs · comfort 100/100
Glendale
81°F avg · 87°F highs · comfort 97/100
Oakland averages about 68°F (80°F highs); Glendale averages about 81°F (87°F highs). Oakland sits near 68°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Glendale averages around 81°F. Oakland 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 38% higher ($101,600), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 68°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Glendale is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 23% 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.
Glendale is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 67% lower than Oakland (144 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.
Bottom line
Oakland carries the heavier crime signal on this page (15/100 safety vs 49/100 in Glendale). That 34-point spread matters more than the $451 rent gap when you are choosing where to walk after dark.
Glendale rent at $1,528/month is still below Oakland's $1,979, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Typical rent stays $1,528 in Glendale and $1,979 in Oakland.
If safety drives your move, Glendale is the stronger match (49/100 safety versus 15/100). If an employer or family tie already points to Oakland, treat $1,979/month rent and $101,600 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
Common questions
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Nearby research
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