City comparison
Gilbert is safer than Arlington. Gilbert's crime index is 47 versus 132 in Arlington, and its violent crime index is 37 versus 130, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Arlington is cheaper. Median rent is $1,470 a month versus $2,110 in Gilbert.
Safety is where Arlington and Gilbert split most clearly. Gilbert scores 85 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,470 in Arlington and $2,110 in Gilbert.
This is a genuine split. Arlington wins on cost of living and Gilbert wins on the job market and safety. Which matters more depends entirely on how you live: remote workers and families weight these categories differently than commuters or single professionals.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Arlington at $1,470 average has pockets that run $1,270 and others at $1,870: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Arlington and Gilbert are 851 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,470 a month in Arlington to $2,110 a month in Gilbert, up $640 a month (44%).
Median household income goes from $75,171 in Arlington to $122,551 in Gilbert, up $47,380 (63%).
The crime index goes from 132 in Arlington to 47 in Gilbert, down 85 points (64%).
The move
Gilbert and Arlington are 851 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,110 a month in Gilbert to $1,470 a month in Arlington, down $640 a month (30%).
Median household income goes from $122,551 in Gilbert to $75,171 in Arlington, down $47,380 (39%).
The crime index goes from 47 in Gilbert to 132 in Arlington, up 85 points (181%).
Arlington, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Gilbert, AZ
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Arlington and Gilbert? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
30% cheaper
Arlington rent is 30% cheaper than Gilbert
Arlington
Winner$1,470/mo
Gilbert
$2,110/mo
Typical rent runs $1,470 a month in Arlington versus $2,110 in Gilbert, so Arlington is 30% cheaper. That's roughly $640/month back in your pocket ($7,680/year). Over five years that's $38,400 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Gilbert, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Arlington is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Gilbert? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
63% higher
Gilbert's median income is 63% higher than Arlington
Arlington
$75,171
Gilbert
Winner$122,551
Median household income is $122,551 in Gilbert versus $75,171 in Arlington, so typical pay runs 63% higher in Gilbert (about $47,380 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Gilbert is the stronger labor market on paper. Arlington can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
64% lower crime
Gilbert's crime index is 64% lower than Arlington
Arlington
132 (100 = avg)
Gilbert
Winner47 (100 = avg)
Gilbert's crime index is 47 versus 132 in Arlington (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 64% lower in Gilbert. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Gilbert is the easier city. Arlington can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Arlington and Gilbert are about even on typical weather.
Arlington
73°F avg · 80°F highs · comfort 100/100
Gilbert
80°F avg · 87°F highs · comfort 100/100
Arlington averages about 73°F (80°F highs); Gilbert averages about 80°F (87°F highs). Arlington sits near 73°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Gilbert sits near 80°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. On daily comfort these two are close enough that the better fit is whichever season you already know you can live with.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Arlington
Arlington is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 30% cheaper here at about $1,470 a month. Choose Arlington if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Gilbert is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 63% higher here ($122,551). Start with Gilbert if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Gilbert is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 64% lower than Arlington (47 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Bottom line
Safety is the widest gap: Gilbert scores 83/100 versus 52/100 in Arlington. Rent is $2,110/month in Gilbert and $1,470/month in Arlington, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
Arlington rent at $1,470/month is still below Gilbert's $2,110, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Typical rent stays $1,470 in Arlington and $2,110 in Gilbert.
Gilbert is ahead on safety (83/100 vs 52/100); Arlington is still viable when you have a vetted ZIP there and $1,470/month rent plus $75,171 income fit your budget better than the safety margin.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Arlington and Gilbert, plus other cities in TX and AZ.
