Moving from Tempe, AZ to Glendale, AZ
It is a short 22 mi hop from Tempe, AZ to Glendale, AZ — roughly 33 min behind the wheel. Even at local distance, household costs and housing values can diverge more than the mileage suggests. Below you will find a direct comparison on BEA cost-of-living, Zillow home values, Census demographics, BLS wages, and NOAA climate.
22 mi · 33 min by car · AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 60, I 17 |
| Major cities en route | Peoria, Surprise, Phoenix, Goodyear, Scottsdale |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tempe | Glendale | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.316 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.332 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.024 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 121.236 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 0.0% under Tempe — $468,281 → $407,332 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Tempe -1.7%, Glendale -2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Tempe | Glendale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 72°F | 72°F |
| January avg low | 39°F | 41°F |
| July avg high | 106°F | 105°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 8.8" | 8.3" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Glendale — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: TEMPE ASU, AZ US, YOUNGTOWN, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tempe | Glendale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 186,419 | 250,193 |
| Median household income | $77,643 | $70,139 |
| Median age | 29.9 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.9% | 15.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 2.88 |
Households in Glendale earn about 0.0% less at the median — 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 | 314,170 | $45,080 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 205,010 | $34,400 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 204,700 | $37,700 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 199,140 | $40,870 |
| Management Occupations | 170,690 | $105,420 |
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
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Glendale average 105°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Glendale sees only 8.3 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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 Tempe vs Glendale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $70,139 in Glendale vs $77,643 in Tempe — a 9.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Glendale, AZ from Tempe, AZ?
The driving distance is 22 mi and the route typically takes 33 min via US 60 and I 17. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Glendale compare to Tempe?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Glendale MSA vs $48,600 in the Tempe MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 2,289,130 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Glendale compared to Tempe?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $407,332 in Glendale vs $468,281 in Tempe — a 13.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Tempe 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 22 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Tempe and Glendale?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 71.9°F in Glendale vs 71.8°F in Tempe (0.1°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 8.3 in vs 8.8 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Tempe.
City profiles: Tempe, AZ · Glendale, AZ.