City Comparison

Glendale vs Racine

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Glendale

Arizona
113
Above Average
$405,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$70,100
Median Income

Racine

Wisconsin
88
Below Average
$126,000
Median Home
$1,025/mo
Median Rent
$57,700
Median Income

The Verdict

28.4%

The cost gap between these cities is 28.4%, with Racine being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Glendale has equivalent purchasing power to $58,407 in Racine.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
119
Glendale
66
Racine
Groceries
103
Glendale
97
Racine
Utilities
98
Glendale
94
Racine
Transportation
103
Glendale
90
Racine
Healthcare
94
Glendale
111
Racine

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Glendale has the same purchasing power as $58,407 in Racine.

Conversely, $75,000 in Racine equals $96,307 in Glendale.

Living in Glendale vs Racine

Housing Costs

Glendale's housing index of 119 is higher Racine's 66, translating to median home prices of $405,000 vs $126,000. The $279,000 difference in home prices means roughly $18,132 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Glendale compared to $1,025/mo in Racine, a monthly difference of $375.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 103 in Glendale and 97 in Racine. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Glendale vs $461/month in Racine. Racine offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 98 in Glendale and 94 in Racine. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in Glendale vs $376 in Racine. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 94 in Glendale and 111 in Racine. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 17-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $70,100 in Glendale and $57,700 in Racine. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $62,035 and $65,568 respectively. Racine residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,636/month to housing in Glendale vs $1,346/month in Racine. In Glendale, median rent of $1,400/mo fits within this budget. In Racine, median rent of $1,025/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 53 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Racine is 28.4% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 113.
A $75,000 salary in Glendale has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $58,407 in Racine, based on the cost of living difference.
Glendale's housing index is 119 with median homes at $405,000, while Racine's is 66 with median homes at $126,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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