Glendale vs Philadelphia
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Glendale
Philadelphia
The Verdict
Philadelphia is 6.6% less expensive than Glendale overall. A household earning $75,000 in Glendale would need approximately $70,354 in Philadelphia to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Glendale has the same purchasing power as $70,354 in Philadelphia.
Conversely, $75,000 in Philadelphia equals $79,953 in Glendale.
Living in Glendale vs Philadelphia
Housing Costs
Glendale's housing index of 119 is higher Philadelphia's 107, translating to median home prices of $405,000 vs $240,000. The $165,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,728 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Glendale compared to $1,400/mo in Philadelphia, a monthly difference of $0.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 103 in Glendale and 104 in Philadelphia. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Glendale vs $494/month in Philadelphia. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 98 in Glendale and 113 in Philadelphia. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in Glendale vs $452 in Philadelphia. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 94 in Glendale and 101 in Philadelphia. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $70,100 in Glendale and $49,127 in Philadelphia. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $62,035 and $46,346 respectively. Glendale residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,636/month to housing in Glendale vs $1,146/month in Philadelphia. In Glendale, median rent of $1,400/mo fits within this budget. In Philadelphia, median rent of $1,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 15 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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