Moving from San Bernardino, CA to Glendale, AZ
Moving from San Bernardino, CA to Glendale, AZ covers 318 mi and about 5h 44m by car through 2 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
318 mi · 5h 44m by car · AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 95, CA 210 |
| Major cities en route | Phoenix, Scottsdale, Peoria, Mesa, Chandler |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Bernardino | Glendale | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Glendale and San Bernardino is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Glendale is 2.9% below San Bernardino ($407,332 vs $487,988 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: San Bernardino -0.3%, Glendale -2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | San Bernardino | Glendale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65°F | 72°F |
| January avg low | 41°F | 41°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 105°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.9" | 8.3" |
Glendale runs 6.7°F warmer on the annual average (65.2°F vs 71.9°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
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: REDLANDS, CA US, YOUNGTOWN, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Bernardino | Glendale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 221,774 | 250,193 |
| Median household income | $63,988 | $70,139 |
| Median age | 31.9 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9% | 15.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.51 | 2.88 |
Median household income in Glendale is 2.9% above San Bernardino ($63,988 → $70,139, ACS 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.
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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
- 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
- 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.
- Register to vote in Arizona after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Glendale compare to San Bernardino?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Glendale MSA vs $47,450 in the San Bernardino MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Glendale more expensive than San Bernardino?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Glendale is 2.9% lower than San Bernardino (103.316 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Glendale, AZ from San Bernardino, CA?
The driving distance is 318 mi and the route typically takes 5h 44m via I 10 and US 95. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between San Bernardino and Glendale?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 71.9°F in Glendale vs 65.2°F in San Bernardino (6.7°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 8.3 in vs 12.9 in.
How much do homes cost in Glendale compared to San Bernardino?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $407,332 in Glendale vs $487,988 in San Bernardino — a 16.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from San Bernardino 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 318 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in San Bernardino vs Glendale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $70,139 in Glendale vs $63,988 in San Bernardino — a 9.6% 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 San Bernardino.
City profiles: San Bernardino, CA · Glendale, AZ.