Is Glendale, AZ A Good Place To Live?
It is rewarding to live in Arizona for the natural beauty, quality of life, and distinct vibe. Of course, there are 91 cities amongst 15 counties in Arizona, so not all of them offer a comfortable living experience. With all of the great things you hear about it, is Glendale, AZ a good place to live?
Glendale, AZ is a great place to live due to the reasonable housing costs, low cost of living, and low crime rates. The city doesn’t feel crowded because there are 55 neighborhoods to choose from that vary in price and style. Downsides to living in Glendale, AZ include the 9.2% sales tax rate, high poverty rate, and congested traffic.
It is easy to overlook some of the downsides to living in Glendale, AZ because of the many benefits. Follow along as we take a look at what it’s like to live in Glendale, Arizona, and whether or not it’s a good place to live.
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Why Is Glendale, AZ a Good Place To Live?
Living in Glendale brings low housing costs, comfortable neighborhoods, and a sense of safety. The crime rates are low and there are many neighborhoods spread throughout Glendale, AZ. Let’s get into the specifics of what makes Glendale, AZ such a unique and comfortable place to call home.
Reasonable Housing Costs
The housing market in Glendale, AZ is inclusive and something for everyone. Arizona is an expensive state, but Glendale boasts a $214,700 median home value due to the wide price range. The majority of Glendale residents own their homes with a 55.4% homeownership rate due to fair prices.
Nearly 45% of Glendale, AZ residents rent homes or apartments for an average of $997 per month. Rent prices vary widely in Glendale, but it’s below the $1,412 monthly ownership fees. Glendale is spread out and you can choose between 55 neighborhoods that vary in price range and property value.
Spread Out
Glendale doesn’t pile its residents on top of each other like in cities with a smaller land mass. The city is stretched out over 61.99 square miles and Glendale, AZ never feels crowded. There are 252,381 residents in Glendale, but it is smaller than the nearby Phoenix, Arizona.
The proximity to Phoenix gives Glendale a calmer, suburban feel with the benefit of big-city access. You will find that it’s more crowded in the southwestern section of Glendale where there are many mobile home parks. Glendale is by no means quiet or boring, but you can find a calm and comfortable quality of life in the city.
Low Crime Rate
The low crime rate reiterates that Glendale, Arizona is a comfortable place to live. Both violent and property crime are reasonably uncommon, and most of Glendale’s neighborhoods are safe. Violent crime affects 1 in 292 Glendale residents, and that’s below the Arizona state average.
Property crime impacts more residents and affects 1 in 31 residents, but Glendale is far from dangerous. You can find most of the crime in Glendale in the southern region of the city, but most neighborhoods are safe. Glendale boasts a low crime rate and only a small cluster of southern Glendale neighborhoods are dangerous.
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Attractions
There is just as much to do in Glendale, AZ as there is to do in Phoenix. Football fans from all over the country visit Glendale to see the Arizona Cardinals play at State Farm Stadium. Glendale, AZ also hosts the Fiesta Bowl every year, and it brings in thousands of people.
You can also find a perfect mix of indoor and outdoor activities to do in Glendale. Attractions like the Deer Valley Petroglyph Reserve and Thunderbird Conservation Park show off the natural beauty of Glendale. Take a stroll into the Historic District to take in the gorgeous architecture and unique brickwork.
There are also several great bars, coffee shops, and restaurants to enjoy in Glendale, AZ. Glendale doesn’t have too much of a nightlife, but all of that changes when there’s a Cardinal’s game.
Great Weather
Glendale residents experience sunny weather throughout the entire year. The summers are hot and dry, but the winters are generally mild. There is no chance of snow in Glendale, AZ, and the city only gets 9 inches of rain per year.
Glendale gets quite hot, but the lack of humidity makes it less uncomfortable. You are limited in what kind of plants you can grow in Glendale, but cacti, succulents, trees, and shrubs thrive in the city. Glendale residents can look forward to an average of 294 sunny days each year.
What Are the Downsides of Living In Glendale, AZ?
Glendale is a great place to live, but there are several downsides to living there, as with any city. The poverty and unemployment rates prove that there is a wide gap in economic status. None of the downsides to living in Glendale, AZ are total deal-breakers, but they are worth considering.
- Glendale has a high sales tax rate of 9.2% for regular purchases besides gasoline, liquor, and tobacco. The state of Arizona has a minimum 5.6% sales tax rate, but Glendale adds municipal taxes to it. Glendale doesn’t boast the highest sales tax rate in Arizona, however, as rates can go up to 11.2% in the state.
- There is a high poverty rate and unemployment rate in Glendale, AZ that affects the local economy. Glendale, AZ is far from the richest city in Arizona, and the 18.6% poverty rate goes to show that. Many Glendale residents are well off, but the wide gap in income and economic status is a downside.
- You can run into congested traffic in Glendale due to the population and proximity to Phoenix. Many residents commute to Phoenix from Glendale and that creates a dense rush hour. Traffic can get quite congested in the morning and late afternoon as you head out for work or errands.
What Is the Cost of Living In Glendale, AZ?
Living in Glendale is much more affordable than the cost of living in Glendale, California. There are many affordable neighborhoods in Glendale, AZ, and grocery prices are quite low. Utility, grocery, transportation, and housing costs determine the cost of living in Glendale.
- You can get by as a renter or owner in Glendale, AZ on any kind of budget due to low housing costs. There are homes available in every price range, and the median home value in Glendale is $214,700. Glendale also boasts low utility costs, and homeowners spend an average of $1,412 between bills and mortgage payments each month.
| City | Median Home Value | Average Rent |
| Glendale, AZ | $214,700 | $997 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $235,400 | $1,053 |
| Sedona, AZ | $507,400 | $1,300 |
| Chandler, AZ | $300,800 | $1,312 |
- Grocery prices are lower than the national average by 3% in Glendale, Arizona. Single residents and families in Glendale can enjoy the savings at the grocery store each month. You have access to many locally sourced food items as well as brand name and generic products at a low price.
- Gas prices are somewhat high in Glendale, but they are on par with the national average. Glendale residents spend roughly $2.82 per gallon of gasoline, and that can add up to $1,400 each year.
Related Questions
Is Glendale, AZ safe?
Yes, Glendale, AZ is a safe place to live, and the city boasts a low crime rate. Violence affects 1 in 292 residents, and property crimes affect 1 in 31 Glendale, AZ residents. The leading crime in Glendale is theft, and most of it is relegated to the southwestern portion of the city.
What is the weather like in Glendale, AZ?
Glendale, Arizona is a dry and hot city, and it only gets 9” of rain each year. You can find blue skies and warm weather all year as Glendale residents enjoy 294 days of sun each year. Glendale, AZ doesn’t get any snow, and it rarely gets below 40 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter.
What is Glendale, Arizona is known for?
Glendale, AZ is known for the many outdoor wildlife attractions in and around the city. Destinations like the Deer Valley Petroglyph Reserve and Sahuaro Ranch Parks display the natural charm Glendale is known for. Glendale is also known for the State Farm Stadium where the Arizona Cardinals play.
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What Did We Learn?
You can find affordable housing and grocery prices in Glendale, Arizona. The median home value is $214,700, and residents pay $997 in rent, on average. There is a lot of affordable housing in Glendale, AZ, and utility prices are quite low.
Glendale has a wide gap in economic status, and there is an 18.6% poverty rate. The crime rate in Glendale is low, but property crime thrives due to the poverty in the city. Otherwise, Glendale is considered safe due to the low violent crime rate.
There is no shortage of attractions and entertainment in Glendale, AZ, and that includes the State Farm Stadium. You can choose between 55 neighborhoods in Glendale, and the city is spread out. Glendale, AZ is a great place to live, and it is easy to get comfortable in this city.
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Nick Durante is a professional writer with a primary focus on home improvement. When he is not writing about home improvement or taking on projects around the house, he likes to read and create art. He is always looking towards the newest trends in home improvement.
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