Moving from Palmdale, CA to Glendale, CA
Moving from Palmdale, CA to Glendale, CA is a 45 mi drive, about 1h 14m by car. This is a local relocation — same-day moves are typical — but cost-of-living, housing, and tax lines still shift enough to plan around. The sections below pull current figures from BEA, the Census Bureau, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA for a side-by-side look.
45 mi · 1h 14m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | N3, FH 59, NF 61 |
| 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
| Palmdale | 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 |
Glendale and Palmdale are close on the overall BEA RPP (113.566 vs 113.566); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Glendale typical home at $1,201,880 is 0.0% above Palmdale at $501,257 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Palmdale -1.3%, Glendale -0.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Palmdale | Glendale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 65°F |
| January avg low | 35°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 98°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 7.3" | 16.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 63.6°F vs 64.5°F per NOAA 1991–2020 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 1991–2020 (stations: PALMDALE, CA US, BURBANK VALLEY PUMP PLT, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Palmdale | Glendale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 165,487 | 192,270 |
| Median household income | $81,151 | $84,262 |
| Median age | 33.2 | 41.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.4% | 28.7% |
| Avg household size | 3.56 | 2.63 |
Household income lines up — $81,151 vs $84,262 on 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 20–30% 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 — 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 does household income compare in Palmdale vs Glendale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $84,262 in Glendale vs $81,151 in Palmdale — a 3.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Glendale, CA from Palmdale, CA?
The driving distance is 45 mi and the route typically takes 1h 14m 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 Palmdale?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Glendale MSA vs $50,490 in the Palmdale 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.
What is the climate difference between Palmdale and Glendale?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 64.5°F in Glendale vs 63.6°F in Palmdale (0.9°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 16.5 in vs 7.3 in.
When is the best time to move from Palmdale to Glendale?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 45 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Glendale compared to Palmdale?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,201,880 in Glendale vs $501,257 in Palmdale — a 139.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Palmdale.
City profiles: Palmdale, CA · Glendale, CA.