Moving from Lancaster, CA to Glendale, CA
It is a 53 mi drive, roughly 1h 24m, between Lancaster, CA and Glendale, CA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
53 mi Β· 1h 24m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | N3, FH 59, CA 14 |
| Major cities en route | Los Angeles, Torrance, Simi Valley, Inglewood, Burbank |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lancaster | Glendale | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Lancaster and Glendale sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $465,847 in Lancaster to $1,201,880 in Glendale, a 0.0% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Lancaster -2.1%, Glendale -0.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lancaster | Glendale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 31Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 98Β°F | 86Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 6.8" | 16.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 62.1Β°F vs 64.5Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Glendale sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LANCASTER WM J FOX FLD, CA US, BURBANK VALLEY PUMP PLT, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lancaster | Glendale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,013 | 192,270 |
| Median household income | $76,083 | $84,262 |
| Median age | 34.2 | 41.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.7% | 28.7% |
| Avg household size | 3.26 | 2.63 |
Households in Glendale earn about 0.0% more at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Glendale MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
Frequently asked
How far is Glendale, CA from Lancaster, CA?
The driving distance is 53 mi and the route typically takes 1h 24m via N3 and FH 59. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Glendale compare to Lancaster?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Glendale MSA vs $50,490 in the Lancaster MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Lancaster to Glendale?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 53 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Glendale compared to Lancaster?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,201,880 in Glendale vs $465,847 in Lancaster β a 158.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Lancaster vs Glendale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $84,262 in Glendale vs $76,083 in Lancaster β a 10.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Lancaster.
City profiles: Lancaster, CA Β· Glendale, CA.