Moving from Irvine, CA to Glendale, CA
Relocating between Irvine, CA and Glendale, CA is a 51 mi drive — 1h 8m 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.
51 mi · 1h 8m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, CA 2, CA 55 |
| Major cities en route | Corona, Riverside, Costa Mesa, Jurupa Valley, Santa Ana |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Irvine | 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 |
Overall price level is comparable — 113.566 vs 113.566 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 0.0% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $1,557,982 to $1,201,880 moving to Glendale.
YoY change: Irvine -0.8%, Glendale -0.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Irvine | Glendale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65°F | 65°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 85°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.1" | 16.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Irvine (64.9°F) and Glendale (64.5°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Glendale gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: TUSTIN IRVINE RCH, CA US, BURBANK VALLEY PUMP PLT, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Irvine | Glendale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 308,160 | 192,270 |
| Median household income | $129,647 | $84,262 |
| Median age | 33.9 | 41.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 39.4% | 28.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.75 | 2.63 |
Expect median household income to fall 0.0% — $129,647 → $84,262 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 far is Glendale, CA from Irvine, CA?
The driving distance is 51 mi and the route typically takes 1h 8m via I 5 and CA 2. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Glendale compare to Irvine?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Glendale MSA vs $50,490 in the Irvine 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.
How much do homes cost in Glendale compared to Irvine?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,201,880 in Glendale vs $1,557,982 in Irvine — a 22.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Irvine 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 51 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Irvine and Glendale?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 64.5°F in Glendale vs 64.9°F in Irvine (0.4°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 16.5 in vs 14.1 in.
How does household income compare in Irvine vs Glendale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $84,262 in Glendale vs $129,647 in Irvine — a 35.0% 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 Irvine.
City profiles: Irvine, CA · Glendale, CA.