City comparison
No. Gilbert's crime index is 47 versus 167 in Chicago, and its violent crime index is 37 versus 139, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Chicago is cheaper. Median rent is $1,440 a month versus $2,110 in Gilbert.
Safety is where Chicago and Gilbert split most clearly. Gilbert scores 120 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,440 in Chicago and $2,110 in Gilbert.
Gilbert is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Chicago makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Gilbert is the stronger move.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Chicago at $1,440 average has pockets that run $1,240 and others at $1,840: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Chicago and Gilbert are 1,439 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,440 a month in Chicago to $2,110 a month in Gilbert, up $670 a month (47%).
Median household income goes from $77,902 in Chicago to $122,551 in Gilbert, up $44,649 (57%).
The crime index goes from 167 in Chicago to 47 in Gilbert, down 120 points (72%).
The move
Gilbert and Chicago are 1,439 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,110 a month in Gilbert to $1,440 a month in Chicago, down $670 a month (32%).
Median household income goes from $122,551 in Gilbert to $77,902 in Chicago, down $44,649 (36%).
The crime index goes from 47 in Gilbert to 167 in Chicago, up 120 points (255%).
Chicago, IL
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 Chicago and Gilbert? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
32% cheaper
Chicago rent is 32% cheaper than Gilbert
Chicago
Winner$1,440/mo
Gilbert
$2,110/mo
Typical rent runs $1,440 a month in Chicago versus $2,110 in Gilbert, so Chicago is 32% cheaper. That's roughly $670/month back in your pocket ($8,040/year). Over five years that's $40,200 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, Chicago 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
57% higher
Gilbert's median income is 57% higher than Chicago
Chicago
$77,902
Gilbert
Winner$122,551
Median household income is $122,551 in Gilbert versus $77,902 in Chicago, so typical pay runs 57% higher in Gilbert (about $44,649 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. Chicago can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
72% lower crime
Gilbert's crime index is 72% lower than Chicago
Chicago
167 (100 = avg)
Gilbert
Winner47 (100 = avg)
Gilbert's crime index is 47 versus 167 in Chicago (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 72% 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. Chicago can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
52% more comfortable
Gilbert weather is 52% more comfortable than Chicago
Chicago
53°F avg · 60°F highs · comfort 66/100
Gilbert
Winner80°F avg · 87°F highs · comfort 100/100
Chicago averages about 53°F (60°F highs); Gilbert averages about 80°F (87°F highs). Chicago averages around 53°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Gilbert sits near 80°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Gilbert scores 52% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Chicago if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Chicago
Chicago is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 32% cheaper here at about $1,440 a month. Choose Chicago 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 plus year-round outdoor access
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 57% higher ($122,551), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 80°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Gilbert is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 72% lower than Chicago (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
Crime and safety tilt toward Gilbert: Gilbert scores 83/100 versus 44/100 in Chicago, with typical rent at $2,110 versus $1,440. I would vet the exact ZIP in Chicago before trading 39 safety points for housing savings.
Safety still diverges (83/100 in Gilbert vs 44/100 in Chicago), so climate preference should not be the only filter.
Typical rent stays $1,440 in Chicago and $2,110 in Gilbert.
If safety drives your move, Gilbert is the stronger match (83/100 safety versus 44/100). If an employer or family tie already points to Chicago, treat $1,440/month rent and $77,902 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
Common questions
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