Moving from San Francisco, CA to Glendale, AZ
A move from San Francisco, CA to Glendale, AZ covers 798 mi and around 15h 13m of driving through 2 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
798 mi · 15h 13m by car · CA → AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 5, I 580 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Rosa, Richmond, Vallejo, Fairfield, Berkeley |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Francisco | Glendale | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 115.613 to 103.316, putting Glendale roughly 10.6% below San Francisco on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Glendale: 10.6% below San Francisco on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: San Francisco +5.0%, Glendale -2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | San Francisco | Glendale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56°F | 72°F |
| January avg low | 46°F | 41°F |
| July avg high | 62°F | 105°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 20.6" | 8.3" |
Major climate step-up: 15.7°F warmer annual average in Glendale vs San Francisco.
Effectively snow-free year in Glendale — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SAN FRANCISCO OCEANSIDE, CA US, YOUNGTOWN, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Francisco | Glendale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 836,321 | 250,193 |
| Median household income | $141,446 | $70,139 |
| Median age | 39.7 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35.1% | 15.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.31 | 2.88 |
Median household income in Glendale is 10.6% below San Francisco ($141,446 vs $70,139, 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.
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
- 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 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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (15.7°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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
When is the best time to move from San Francisco 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 798 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between San Francisco and Glendale?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 71.9°F in Glendale vs 56.2°F in San Francisco (15.7°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 8.3 in vs 20.6 in.
How does the job market in Glendale compare to San Francisco?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Glendale MSA vs $72,050 in the San Francisco MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Glendale compared to San Francisco?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $407,332 in Glendale vs $1,356,662 in San Francisco — a 70.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Glendale more expensive than San Francisco?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Glendale is 10.6% lower than San Francisco (103.316 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Glendale, AZ from San Francisco, CA?
The driving distance is 798 mi and the route typically takes 15h 13m via I 10 and I 5. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in San Francisco vs Glendale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $70,139 in Glendale vs $141,446 in San Francisco — a 50.4% 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 San Francisco.
City profiles: San Francisco, CA · Glendale, AZ.