Manageable

What Salary Do You Need to Live in Glendale?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Glendale, you need to earn at least $61,120/year based on estimated fair market rent data. The median household income here is $66,375, which means the typical resident is $5,255 above the threshold.

Census ACS Data Pop. 248,083

Salary Required by Bedroom Size

Bedroom	Monthly Rent	Monthly Income	Annual Salary	vs. Median
Studio	$1,070	$3,567	$42,800	$-23,575
1 Bedroom	$1,268	$4,227	$50,720	$-15,655
2 Bedroom BENCHMARK	$1,528	$5,093	$61,120	$-5,255
3 Bedroom	$1,864	$6,213	$74,560	+$8,185
4 Bedroom	$2,292	$7,640	$91,680	+$25,305

Affordability Breakdown

Where the required salary line crosses above Glendale's median income — housing becomes unaffordable for the typical resident.

Required Salary Median Income

Income vs. Rent Snapshot

Median Income

$66,375

Annual household

2BR Required Salary

$61,120

Under 30% rule

Income Gap

+$5,255

Surplus

Verdict

Manageable

Ratio: 27.6%

The 30% Rule Calculator

Enter your annual salary to see what you can afford in Glendale

Your Annual Salary

Pre-filled with Glendale's median household income

Max monthly rent you can afford$1,659

Studio

$1,070/mo

1 BR

$1,268/mo

2 BR

$1,528/mo

3 BR

$1,864/mo

4 BR

$2,292/mo

Your salary is $0 above the median income in Glendale.

Salary Comparison by Bedroom

Bars left of the marker line are affordable for Glendale's median earner. Bars to the right require above-median income.

Affordable Above Median Median Income

What This Means If You're Moving to Glendale

Renting in Glendale, Arizona is doable for median earners, but tight. A 2-bedroom requires roughly $61,120/year under the 30% rule, and with a median income of $66,375, residents are operating close to the threshold.

Downsizing to a 1-bedroom ($1,268/month) or studio ($1,070/month) materially improves the math. For those needing more space, a 3-bedroom in Glendale pushes the required income to $74,560.

For comfortable living in Glendale without financial stress, target a household income of at least $91,680 — this accounts for rent being approximately 30% of take-home pay while leaving adequate room for Arizona's cost of living.

Economic Outlook

Local Job Market & Housing Dynamics

Affording rent isn't just about housing prices—it's heavily dependent on local employment opportunities and the strength of the job market in Glendale, Arizona.

With a total population of 248,083, the city supports an active civilian workforce of 116,001 people. A strong employment base often indicates a stable economy, which is crucial when committing to a lease requiring a $61,120 annual salary. The ratio of employed residents to the total population provides insight into the local economic health and competition for both jobs and housing.

Employed Workforce

116,001

Active civilian employees in Glendale

Frequently Asked Questions About Renting in Glendale

What salary do I need to live in Glendale, Arizona?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Glendale under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of at least $61,120. The median household income in Glendale is $66,375.

Can I afford a 2-bedroom in Glendale on $66,375?

The affordability verdict for Glendale is "Manageable". The rent-to-income ratio is 27.6%, meaning median earners have a $5,255 surplus.

What is the average rent in Glendale compared to median income?

The median gross rent in Glendale is $1,268/month. With a median household income of $66,375, residents spend approximately 27.6% of their income on rent.

What salary do I need for a studio in Glendale?

A studio in Glendale rents for approximately $1,070/month. Under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of $42,800 to afford this.

Is Glendale considered an affordable place to live?

Based on the surplus of $5,255 and an affordability verdict of "Manageable", Glendale is considered a manageable rental market when comparing the required 2-bedroom salary of $61,120 to the local median household income.

How Glendale Compares

Other cities in Arizona with salary requirements