City comparison
Yes. Raleigh's crime index is 142 versus 144 in Glendale, and its violent crime index is 128 versus 135, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Glendale is cheaper. Median rent is $1,528 a month versus $1,572 in Raleigh.
The income gap between Raleigh and Glendale is significant: $85,395 median household versus $73,530. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,572 in Raleigh and $1,528 in Glendale.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Glendale costs less and Raleigh 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.
Visit both if you can. Cities reveal themselves in the ordinary moments, a Tuesday morning commute, a Saturday errand run, not on a weekend visit.
The move
Raleigh and Glendale are 1,904 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,572 a month in Raleigh to $1,528 a month in Glendale, down $44 a month (3%).
Median household income goes from $85,395 in Raleigh to $73,530 in Glendale, down $11,865 (14%).
The crime index goes from 142 in Raleigh to 144 in Glendale, up 2 points (1%).
The move
Glendale and Raleigh are 1,904 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,528 a month in Glendale to $1,572 a month in Raleigh, up $44 a month (3%).
Median household income goes from $73,530 in Glendale to $85,395 in Raleigh, up $11,865 (16%).
The crime index goes from 144 in Glendale to 142 in Raleigh, down 2 points (1%).
Raleigh, NC
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 Raleigh and Glendale? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
3% cheaper
Glendale rent is 3% cheaper than Raleigh
Raleigh
$1,572/mo
Glendale
Winner$1,528/mo
Typical rent runs $1,528 a month in Glendale versus $1,572 in Raleigh, so Glendale is 3% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $44, or $528 a year: noticeable, but rent alone should not pick the city. Use this as a tie-breaker after you compare income, schools, and crime, unless you are already stretching every dollar.
Planning to buy in Glendale? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
16% higher
Raleigh's median income is 16% higher than Glendale
Raleigh
Winner$85,395
Glendale
$73,530
Median household income is $85,395 in Raleigh versus $73,530 in Glendale, so typical pay runs 16% higher in Raleigh (about $11,865 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, Raleigh 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
Raleigh's crime index is 1% lower than Glendale
Raleigh
Winner142 (100 = avg)
Glendale
144 (100 = avg)
Raleigh's crime index is 142 versus 144 in Glendale (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 1% lower in Raleigh. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Raleigh, 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
13% more comfortable
Glendale weather is 13% more comfortable than Raleigh
Raleigh
60°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 86/100
Glendale
Winner81°F avg · 87°F highs · comfort 97/100
Raleigh averages about 60°F (69°F highs); Glendale averages about 81°F (87°F highs). Raleigh averages around 60°F. Glendale averages around 81°F. Glendale scores 13% 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 Raleigh 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 and professional growth
Raleigh is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 16% higher here ($85,395). Start with Raleigh if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Raleigh 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 (142 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
Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing
Glendale is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 3% 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.
Pick Glendale if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (81°F) beat Raleigh on this page's weather index by 13%. Raleigh may pay more or cost less, but Glendale is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Bottom line
Weather separates these metros: $1,528/month rent in Glendale at 81°F versus $1,572 in Raleigh at 60°F. Income runs $73,530 vs $85,395, but the daily feel of the move is the temperature gap.
Glendale rent at $1,528/month is still below Raleigh's $1,572, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Typical rent stays $1,528 in Glendale and $1,572 in Raleigh.
Between Raleigh and Glendale, Glendale is ahead on climate — 81°F typical weather versus 60°F. Lean Raleigh instead when you would rather tolerate 60°F than optimize for Glendale's comfort score.
Common questions
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Nearby research
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