Short answer: In Glendale, CA, the median home value is $1,182,800 and the median 3-bedroom rents for $2,691/mo (Census ACS 2024). That's a rent-to-price ratio of 0.23%, so it misses the 1% rule and is lower than any of the 50 largest US rental markets (Glendale is the #88 US city by renter households). With 20% down at 7.32%, FirstDoor scores a median-priced home Pass (−$5,353/mo cash flow).
Key numbers
The 1% rule in Glendale
Before running a full analysis, many investors check whether rent is at least 1% of price. This is where Glendale lands.
Across all rentals (not just 3-bedrooms) the ratio is 0.19%. A home renting for the median 3-bedroom rent would need to cost about $269,000 or less to pass.
A typical Glendale home, scored
We took a home at the median value, gave it the median 3-bedroom rent, and ran it through the same math as the FirstDoor calculator: 20% down, a 30-year loan at 7.32%, the city's median tax rate, and standard expense budgets.
| 3-bedroom rent (median) | $2,691 |
| Property tax ($6,805/yr, local median) | −$567 |
| Insurance ($5,910/yr, assumed) | −$492 |
| Vacancy 5% · Maintenance 5% · Management 8% | −$484 |
| Net operating income | $1,147 |
| Mortgage (P&I on $946,240 at 7.32%) | −$6,500 |
| Monthly cash flow | −$5,353 |
What price works in Glendale?
Price is the lever you control. Holding rent at the Glendale median, these are the price ceilings for each FirstDoor result.
Takeaways
- Glendale's 0.23% ratio is far below the 1% rule (lower than all of the 50 largest markets). Most investors here are betting on appreciation, not monthly income.
- A median-priced home here would cost you about $5,353/mo out of pocket after the mortgage and every expense. To break even you'd need to pay about $345,000, 71% below the median.
- Prices are outrunning rents: home values rose 11.3% from 2023 to 2024 while 3-bedroom rent fell 5.8%. The 1% math got tougher.
- Property taxes are light: the median bill is $6,805, about 0.58% of value versus 0.89% nationally.
- Renters are the majority here (67% of households), so the tenant pool is deep.
Frequently asked questions
Does Glendale pass the 1% rule?
No, on typical numbers. The median 3-bedroom gross rent is $2,691/mo and the median home value is $1,182,800 (Census ACS 2024 1-year), a ratio of 0.23%. To pass at that rent, a home would need to cost about $269,000 or less.
What is the typical rent for a 3-bedroom in Glendale?
The median gross rent for a 3-bedroom in Glendale, CA is $2,691 a month, and $2,221 across all rentals (Census ACS 2024 1-year). Gross rent includes utilities the renter pays, so the landlord's share can be a bit lower. The 3-bedroom median fell 5.8% from 2023.
Can you cash flow a rental in Glendale?
At the median price, not easily. With 20% down at 7.32% and realistic expenses, a $1,182,800 home renting for $2,691 loses about $5,353/mo. It breaks even at roughly $345,000.
How much cash do you need to buy a typical rental in Glendale?
About $272,060: a 20% down payment of $236,560 plus closing costs we assume at 3% ($35,500). Lenders often also want several months of reserves. Investment loans commonly need 15–25% down.
Is Glendale a good place to buy a first rental?
FirstDoor scores a median-priced home in Glendale as Pass (0 of 8 points). That's a starting point, not a verdict on every listing: neighborhoods vary, and buying below the median changes the math. Run any listing through the free calculator.
Compare similar markets
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Sources
Data: U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 American Community Survey 1-year estimates (released September 2025); year-over-year changes compare with 2023. Mortgage rate: Freddie Mac PMMS, week of October 22, 2026. Retrieved October 15, 2026. Insurance ($5,910/yr), closing costs (3%), maintenance (5%) and management (8%) are FirstDoor assumptions, not local data. Investment-property loans often price above the PMMS average. Medians describe the whole city, not any one home. Educational content, not financial advice.