City Comparison

Glendale vs Santa Fe

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Glendale

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

Santa Fe

New Mexico
117
Above Average
$480,000
Median Home
$1,600/mo
Median Rent
$61,982
Median Income

The Verdict

3.4%

The cost gap between these cities is 3.4%, with Glendale being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Glendale has equivalent purchasing power to $77,655 in Santa Fe.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
119
Glendale
153
Santa Fe
Groceries
103
Glendale
103
Santa Fe
Utilities
98
Glendale
96
Santa Fe
Transportation
103
Glendale
99
Santa Fe
Healthcare
94
Glendale
95
Santa Fe

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Glendale has the same purchasing power as $77,655 in Santa Fe.

Conversely, $75,000 in Santa Fe equals $72,436 in Glendale.

Living in Glendale vs Santa Fe

Housing Costs

Glendale's housing index of 119 is lower Santa Fe's 153, translating to median home prices of $405,000 vs $480,000. The $75,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,872 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Glendale compared to $1,600/mo in Santa Fe, a monthly difference of $200.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 103 in Glendale and 103 in Santa Fe. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Glendale vs $489/month in Santa Fe. 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 96 in Santa Fe. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in Glendale vs $384 in Santa Fe. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 94 in Glendale and 95 in Santa Fe. 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 $61,982 in Santa Fe. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $62,035 and $52,976 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 $1,446/month in Santa Fe. In Glendale, median rent of $1,400/mo fits within this budget. In Santa Fe, median rent of $1,600/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 34 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Glendale is 3.4% more affordable overall with an index of 113 vs 117.
A $75,000 salary in Glendale has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $77,655 in Santa Fe, based on the cost of living difference.
Glendale's housing index is 119 with median homes at $405,000, while Santa Fe's is 153 with median homes at $480,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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