City Comparison

Glendale vs Tokyo

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Glendale

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

Tokyo

Japan
82
Very Affordable
$450,000
Median Home
$1,225/mo
Median Rent
$42,000
Median Income

The Verdict

37.8%

Living in Tokyo costs 37.8% less than Glendale. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Glendale, you would need $54,425 in Tokyo.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
119
Glendale
98
Tokyo
Groceries
103
Glendale
88
Tokyo
Utilities
98
Glendale
85
Tokyo
Transportation
103
Glendale
78
Tokyo
Healthcare
94
Glendale
62
Tokyo

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Glendale has the same purchasing power as $54,425 in Tokyo.

Conversely, $75,000 in Tokyo equals $103,354 in Glendale.

Living in Glendale vs Tokyo

Housing Costs

Glendale's housing index of 119 is higher Tokyo's 98, translating to median home prices of $405,000 vs $450,000. The $45,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,928 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Glendale compared to $1,225/mo in Tokyo, a monthly difference of $175.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 103 in Glendale and 88 in Tokyo. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Glendale vs $418/month in Tokyo. Tokyo offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $852/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 98 in Glendale and 85 in Tokyo. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in Glendale vs $340 in Tokyo. 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 62 in Tokyo. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 32-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 $42,000 in Tokyo. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $62,035 and $51,220 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 $980/month in Tokyo. In Glendale, median rent of $1,400/mo fits within this budget. In Tokyo, median rent of $1,225/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 32 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tokyo is 37.8% more affordable overall with an index of 82 vs 113.
A $75,000 salary in Glendale has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $54,425 in Tokyo, based on the cost of living difference.
Glendale's housing index is 119 with median homes at $405,000, while Tokyo's is 98 with median homes at $450,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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