Moving from Bakersfield, CA to Glendale, AZ
Relocating between Bakersfield, CA and Glendale, AZ is a 479 mi drive β 8h 48m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
479 mi Β· 8h 48m by car Β· CA β AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 5, I 210 |
| Major cities en route | Lancaster, Santa Clarita, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Palmdale |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Bakersfield | Glendale | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.886 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.257 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 90.291 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Bakersfield 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 for Glendale ($407,332) sits close to Bakersfield ($396,047) β no material housing gap.
YoY change: Bakersfield -0.3%, Glendale -2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Bakersfield | Glendale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 72Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 41Β°F |
| July avg high | 97Β°F | 105Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 6.7" | 8.3" |
Expect 6.8Β°F warmer year-round on the 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: BAKERSFIELD 5 NW, CA US, YOUNGTOWN, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Bakersfield | Glendale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 250,193 |
| Median household income | $77,397 | $70,139 |
| Median age | 31.9 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.1% | 15.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.2 | 2.88 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 2.4% lower in Glendale than Bakersfield.
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.
Moving between California and Arizona
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Arizona's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
- 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 105Β°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.
- Register to vote in Arizona after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Glendale, AZ from Bakersfield, CA?
The driving distance is 479 mi and the route typically takes 8h 48m via I 10 and I 5. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Glendale compared to Bakersfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $407,332 in Glendale vs $396,047 in Bakersfield β a 2.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Glendale more expensive than Bakersfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Glendale is 2.4% higher than Bakersfield (103.316 vs 100.886, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Glendale compare to Bakersfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Glendale MSA vs $44,960 in the Bakersfield MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 330,270 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Bakersfield to Glendale?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 479 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Bakersfield vs Glendale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $70,139 in Glendale vs $77,397 in Bakersfield β a 9.4% lower 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 Bakersfield.
City profiles: Bakersfield, CA Β· Glendale, AZ.