Glendale, CA vs Santa Ana, CA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Santa Ana is 22.9% cheaper than Glendale. With a cost index of 154 vs 189, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Santa Ana to Glendale should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Glendale is $2,095/month compared to $1,975/month in Santa Ana — a 6% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Santa Ana is more affordable at $657,800 median vs $1,043,900.

Median household income in Glendale is $84,262 compared to $88,354 in Santa Ana (-4.6%). Santa Ana offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Glendale spend roughly 29.8% of their income on rent, more than the 26.8% in Santa Ana.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (65.2°F vs 64.9°F). Glendale receives more rainfall at 13.9" per year compared to 11.2" in Santa Ana.