City Report · CA

Glendale

Pop. 190,748·191st most expensive in California·One of the pricier rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$2,779/mo
Year-over-Year
-0.4%
Month-over-Month
+1.7%
vs US Median
+$817
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Glendale · $2,779
More expensive than 86% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
66/100
Good value
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 8% below what Glendale's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$2,779/mo
Expected by trend
$3,027/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Glendale's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$2,099
1 BR
$2,356
2 BR
$2,971
3 BR
$3,775
4 BR+
$4,184
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$2,971/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,779 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$33,348/yr
At $2,779/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (0.4% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (-0.4% YoY, +1.7% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Glendale, CA is majority renter-occupied, 47.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
190,748
Median income
$88,393
Median age
41.4
Renters
64.8%
Age distribution
18.4%
22.2%
27.2%
13.2%
19%
Under 1818.4%
18–3422.2%
35–5427.2%
55–6413.2%
65+19%
Gender
48.4%
51.6%
Male48.4%
Female51.6%
Race & ethnicity
65.1%
18.1%
12.9%
White65.1%
Black1.5%
Hispanic18.1%
Asian12.9%
Other2.4%
Education (25+)
19.9%
22.4%
47.2%
No HS diploma10.5%
HS diploma19.9%
Some college22.4%
Bachelor's+47.2%
Housing tenure
35.2%
64.8%
Owner35.2%
Renter64.8%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Glendale, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$2,218 → $2,779
up 25.3%
Income
$74,488 → $88,393
up 18.7%
Population
196,512 → 190,748
down 2.9%
Renter share
66.2% → 64.8%
-1.4 pts
Bachelor's+
43% → 47.2%
+4.2 pts

Compared with 2021, rent in Glendale, CA has climbed by $561 per month, settling near $2,779 after starting the period at $2,218. Household income in the area moved from $74,488 to $88,393 across the same window, up 18.7% versus 2021. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 6.6 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 196,512 to 190,748 between 2021 and 2024, a 2.9% change. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 43% to 47.2%. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in Glendale, CA look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

Community

Discussions about Glendale

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View Glendale rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Glendale on your salary?

At $2,779/mo, how Glendale rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Glendale rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Glendale. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Glendale

About renting in Glendale, CA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Glendale is $2,779/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,099/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,971/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,356/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,775/mo.

At 38% of local median household income ($88,393/yr), Glendale ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 0.4% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Glendale an affordable city for renters?

Glendale is considered moderate for renters. At $2,779/mo, rent takes approximately 38% of the local median household income ($88,393/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Glendale slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Glendale?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $111,000/year (~$53/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,779/mo in Glendale. The local median household income is $88,393/yr, meaning the typical Glendale household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Glendale?

Rent in Glendale has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.4% change year over year as of August 2026.

Which Glendale neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Glendale are 91205 ($2,257/mo), 91206 ($2,320/mo), and 91201 ($2,625/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Glendale is $2,779/mo.

How does Glendale rent compare to other cities in California?

Glendale is middle-of-the-pack for California for rent, ranking #191 out of 381 tracked cities at $2,779/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Glendale?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Glendale ($2,779/mo): South Pasadena ($2,588/mo), Los Angeles ($2,773/mo).

What percentage of Glendale residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 64.8% of Glendale households are renters, while 35.2% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Glendale has a strong rental market.

How does Glendale rent compare to the national average?

Glendale's median rent of $2,779/mo is $817 (42%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within California, it ranks #191 out of 381 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
38%
MODERATE

At $2,779/mo, rent takes ~38% of Glendale's median household income ($88,393/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Glendale 38%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the Glendale affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Glendale, CA

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