Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Chandler, AZ
VS
Glendale, CA
🏆 Chandler leads 20 of 22 categories
Chandler
Arizona
20
wins
Cost of Living Index
101.4⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$99,374 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
35 ✓ Safer
Population
275,618 ✓ Larger
Glendale
California
2
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$81,219
Violent Crime Index
76
Population
194,512
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Chandler, AZ
Pros
Homes cost $568k less ($423,900 vs $992,000)
54% less violent crime than Glendale
Stronger job market — unemployment is 4.3 pts lower (3.8%)
Households earn $18,155 more per year on average
Violent crime is well below the national average (133.4 vs 380/100k)
Rent averages $327/mo less ($1,675 vs $2,002)
Cons
Hot summers — July highs average 106°F
Glendale, CA
Pros
Cooler summers — July highs near 86°F vs 106°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $992,000
Median income trails Chandler by $18,155/yr
Higher rents — median is $2,002/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 115.5)
Key Differences at a Glance
Chandler
Cost of Living
14% cheaper
COL index 101.4 vs 115.5 (100 = US avg)
Chandler
Median Income
$18,155
$99,374 vs $81,219/yr
Chandler
Violent Crime
54% lower
133.4 vs 287.2 per 100k
Chandler
Median Home Value
$568k less
$423,900 vs $992,000
Chandler
Unemployment
4.3 pp lower
3.8% vs 8.1% unemployment
Chandler
Summer Heat
20.1°F warmer
July avg high 105.9°F vs 85.8°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Glendale, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 101.4⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 115.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $423,900⚠ High ✓ Lower | $992,000⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,675⚠ High ✓ Lower | $2,002⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $99,374 ✓ Higher | $81,219 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 8.1%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 24.2 min ✓ Shorter | 27.6 min |
| Work From Home % | 19.6% ✓ Higher | 16.4% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 50 ✓ Safer | 84 |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 35 ✓ Safer | 76 |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 72 ✓ Safer | 97 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (109) ✓ Better | B (99) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 17.6:1 ✓ Smaller | 23.6:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 46.2% ✓ Higher | 43.8% |
| High School or Higher | 94.2% ✓ Higher | 88.8% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Chandler Unified District #80 (4242) | Glendale Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 70.6°F ✓ Warmer | 69.0°F |
| Avg High — July | 105.9°F ✓ Warmer | 85.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 8.7" ✓ Drier | 16.7" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 275,618 ✓ Larger | 194,512 |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 41.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.6% ✓ Higher | 34.2% |
| Under 18 | 23.5% ✓ More | 18.0% |
| Over 65 | 12.5% | 18.4% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Chandler's cost of living index is 101.4 vs Glendale's 115.5 (US average = 100).
Chandler is 14% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Chandler leads 20 of 22 categories. Chandler wins 20 and Glendale wins 2. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Chandler to Glendale or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($423,900 vs $992,000 median home), income ($99,374 vs $81,219), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Chandler, AZ and Glendale, CA are about 373 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.