Cost of Living in Glendale, CA - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

Living costs for one person come to about $4,138 monthly including rent, or $1,268 excluding housing.

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $5,608 with rent, or $2,402 without housing.

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $7,079 including rent, or $3,536 for daily expenses alone.

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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$25.43 $25.43
$17.29 $17.29
$43.74 $43.74
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$99.1 $99.1
$74.3 $74.3
$198 $198
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$14.16 $14.16
$12.13 $12.13
$16.18 $16.18
Cappuccino
$6.09 $6.09
$4.06 $4.06
$9.14 $9.14
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.35 $3.35
$2.98 $2.98
$4.97 $4.97
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.77 $2.77
$1.99 $1.99
$3.97 $3.97
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$8.22 $8.22
$6.17 $6.17
$10.28 $10.28
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$9.88 $9.88
$7.91 $7.91
$11.86 $11.86
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.39 $1.39
$0.94 $0.94
$1.89 $1.89
White Bread (500g)
$4.83 $4.83
$3.22 $3.22
$7.53 $7.53
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.76 $4.76
$2.18 $2.18
$8.91 $8.91
Eggs
$6.06 $6.06
$2.56 $2.56
$9.22 $9.22
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.98 $11.98
$8.81 $8.81
$44.03 $44.03
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$13.39 $13.39
$6.64 $6.64
$24.36 $24.36
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$20.12 $20.12
$13.45 $13.45
$33.63 $33.63
Apples (1kg)
$4.62 $4.62
$1.80 $1.80
$8.88 $8.88
Banana (1kg)
$1.83 $1.83
$1.42 $1.42
$4.30 $4.30
Oranges (1kg)
$4.36 $4.36
$2.17 $2.17
$8.69 $8.69
Tomato (1kg)
$5.25 $5.25
$2.08 $2.08
$9.02 $9.02
Potato (1kg)
$3.24 $3.24
$1.06 $1.06
$5.38 $5.38
Onion (1kg)
$2.69 $2.69
$2.01 $2.01
$6.68 $6.68
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.07 $2.07
$1.00 $1.00
$4.04 $4.04
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.21 $2.21
$1.01 $1.01
$4.56 $4.56
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$11.91 $11.91
$10.58 $10.58
$15.25 $15.25
Wine (Bottle)
$15.02 $15.02
$9.01 $9.01
$25.02 $25.02
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.22 $2.22
$1.74 $1.74
$2.92 $2.92
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.81 $2.81
$1.51 $1.51
$6.04 $6.04
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.71 $1.71
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$90.2 $90.2
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.94 $2.94
$2.94 $2.94
$4.91 $4.91
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.83 $1.83
$1.83 $1.83
$3.07 $3.07
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$28.16 $28.16
$28.16 $28.16
$55.3 $55.3
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.55 $1.55
$1.24 $1.24
$1.76 $1.76
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$37.6K $37.6K
$25.4K $25.4K
$38.2K $38.2K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.3K $26.3K
$26.1K $26.1K
$28.5K $28.5K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$259 $259
$153 $153
$408 $408
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$75.8 $75.8
$40.74 $40.74
$122 $122
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$78.3 $78.3
$49.33 $49.33
$118 $118
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Cinema Ticket
$19.86 $19.86
$15.28 $15.28
$20.37 $20.37
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,715 $1,715
$1,280 $1,280
$2,563 $2,563
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$32.6K $32.6K
$21.5K $21.5K
$47.2K $47.2K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$70.6 $70.6
$50.4 $50.4
$101 $101
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$56.7 $56.7
$27.49 $27.49
$98.2 $98.2
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$116 $116
$69.6 $69.6
$149 $149
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$200 $200
$122 $122
$204 $204
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,294 $3,294
$3,146 $3,146
$3,441 $3,441
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,632 $2,632
$2,213 $2,213
$3,017 $3,017
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$4,797 $4,797
$4,649 $4,649
$4,945 $4,945
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$3,496 $3,496
$3,445 $3,445
$3,547 $3,547
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,928 $4,928
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.52
6
7.35

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: August 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Expect to pay about $3,294 for a central one-bedroom, or $2,632 outside the center. At 67% of the average salary ($4,928), housing is the biggest financial pressure.

Average take-home pay sits at $4,928, while typical expenses reach $4,138. This leaves some room for savings, though a comfortable buffer starts closer to $6,208.

Expect to spend about $443 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $99.0 for two.

Public transport is priced at around $90.2 per month.

Cost Highlights

1-bedroom apartment, city center is more expensive than 99% of cities in North America

Local beer is more expensive than 98% of cities in North America

Overall monthly cost (including rent) is more expensive than 98% of cities in North America

Glendale, CA Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms

Fixed Broadband

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
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Cost of Living in Glendale, CA - Frequently Asked Questions
How does Glendale, CA compare in general affordability for travelers, expats, and digital nomads?
Glendale sits adjacent to Los Angeles proper, offering a practical balance of convenience and value for many long stays. In broad terms, you’ll often find housing and daily comforts at a pace that nudges above smaller towns but without the downtown LA premium. The Cost of Living in Glendale, CA, United States reflects a mix of diverse dining, solid services, and dependable infrastructure that suits extended stays. You gain easy access to beaches, foothills, and coworking options, plus a welcoming, mixed-neighborhood feel that supports different work styles. Tip: spend time in multiple districts to find the vibe that fits your rhythm.
What does daily life look like in Glendale, including housing search, food options, transport, and errands?
Daily life in Glendale blends accessibility with a relaxed tempo. Housing search rewards a mix of apartment blocks near main corridors and quieter streets in Montrose or foothill neighborhoods, where parking and natural light matter. Food options span casual eateries, markets, and cafe scenes that suit long work sessions. Transport is practical with car use common, while bus services and limited rail links connect to downtown LA. For errands, you’ll find well-stocked markets and services clustered along major streets. Glendale, CA, United States living cost can help you calibrate expectations. Tip: build a flexible weekly plan around peak traffic times.
What factors influence quality of life, budgeting, seasonality, and neighborhood fit in Glendale?
Quality of life in Glendale hinges on balance between access to city amenities and a comfortable, walkable pace. A practical budgeting approach centers on flexible housing options, predictable groceries, and cost-conscious leisure, with room for occasional splurges like weekend outings. Seasonality in this climate is mild but you may notice busier shopping and events in late spring and around holidays, affecting crowds and transit. To find the right neighborhood, think about commute, school zones if relevant, and the feel of the street – tree-lined blocks vs. denser urban cores. Tip: test-drive neighborhoods at different times to gauge noise, parking, and safety.
How much does it cost to live in Glendale, CA in 2026?
As of 2026, monthly living costs in Glendale, CA come to around $4,138 including rent, or roughly $1,268 excluding it. Numbers shift a bit by season and neighborhood, but this range works well as a planning baseline.
What drives the high cost of living in Glendale, CA?
Living in Glendale, CA doesn't come cheap – monthly expenses with rent reach $4,138, putting it among the pricier cities worldwide. Housing dominates the cost, but food, services, and leisure all sit above the global median too.
Is the average income in Glendale, CA enough to cover living costs and save?
At $4,928 take-home, most residents in Glendale, CA can cover the $4,138 monthly cost of living. Those earning $6,208 or more have room to save; below-average earners will find things noticeably tighter.
How much should I budget for housing in Glendale, CA?
Where you live in Glendale, CA makes all the difference. Central one-bedrooms cost about $3,294; commute-friendly outer districts come in around $2,632. Overall, the market runs from $2,632 to $3,294 depending on size, location, and apartment condition.
What are kindergarten prices in Glendale, CA?
Childcare averages $1,715 monthly at a private kindergarten in Glendale, CA. For many families, this single cost rivals rent, so it's essential to factor in before making a move.
What is a monthly transit pass in Glendale, CA?
A monthly transit pass in Glendale, CA runs about $90.2, with good coverage across residential and business areas. It's entirely feasible to live car-free here for daily commuting and errands.
Can a person live on $4,000 monthly in Glendale, CA?
At $4,138 in typical monthly expenses, a $4,000 budget barely covers Glendale, CA. You'd need a shared flat in an outer area, home-cooked meals, and serious discipline with discretionary spending to make it work.
Is Glendale, CA a good city to live in long-term?
Glendale, CA offers genuinely appealing day-to-day living. Residents value fast internet, vibrant nightlife, clean air, and at around $4,138 per month, it's accessible to a broad range of incomes. Most people find the cost-to-quality balance sustainable long-term.

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