City comparison
Yes. Gilbert's crime index is 47 versus 73 in Boise, and its violent crime index is 37 versus 85, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Boise is cheaper. Median rent is $1,446 a month versus $2,110 in Gilbert.
The income gap between Gilbert and Boise is significant: $122,551 median household versus $83,904. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $2,110 in Gilbert and $1,446 in Boise.
Gilbert is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Boise 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. Boise at $1,446 average has pockets that run $1,246 and others at $1,846: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Gilbert and Boise are 748 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,110 a month in Gilbert to $1,446 a month in Boise, down $664 a month (31%).
Median household income goes from $122,551 in Gilbert to $83,904 in Boise, down $38,647 (32%).
The crime index goes from 47 in Gilbert to 73 in Boise, up 26 points (55%).
The move
Boise and Gilbert are 748 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,446 a month in Boise to $2,110 a month in Gilbert, up $664 a month (46%).
Median household income goes from $83,904 in Boise to $122,551 in Gilbert, up $38,647 (46%).
The crime index goes from 73 in Boise to 47 in Gilbert, down 26 points (36%).
Gilbert, AZ
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Boise, ID
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Gilbert and Boise? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
31% cheaper
Boise rent is 31% cheaper than Gilbert
Gilbert
$2,110/mo
Boise
Winner$1,446/mo
Typical rent runs $1,446 a month in Boise versus $2,110 in Gilbert, so Boise is 31% cheaper. That's roughly $664/month back in your pocket ($7,968/year). Over five years that's $39,840 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, Boise 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
46% higher
Gilbert's median income is 46% higher than Boise
Gilbert
Winner$122,551
Boise
$83,904
Median household income is $122,551 in Gilbert versus $83,904 in Boise, so typical pay runs 46% higher in Gilbert (about $38,647 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. Boise can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
36% lower crime
Gilbert's crime index is 36% lower than Boise
Gilbert
Winner47 (100 = avg)
Boise
73 (100 = avg)
Gilbert's crime index is 47 versus 73 in Boise (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 36% 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. Boise can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
12% more comfortable
Gilbert weather is 12% more comfortable than Boise
Gilbert
Winner80°F avg · 87°F highs · comfort 100/100
Boise
61°F avg · 70°F highs · comfort 89/100
Gilbert averages about 80°F (87°F highs); Boise averages about 61°F (70°F highs). Gilbert sits near 80°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Boise averages around 61°F. Gilbert scores 12% 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 Boise if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
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 46% 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 36% lower than Boise (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.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Boise
Boise is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 31% cheaper here at about $1,446 a month. Choose Boise if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Bottom line
Rent is the clearest fork: Boise at $1,446/month versus $2,110 in Gilbert ($664 apart). Gilbert median income is $122,551 against $83,904 in Boise, so the cheaper lease does not always pair with the stronger local wage base.
Boise rent at $1,446/month is still below Gilbert's $2,110, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 83/100 in Gilbert and 70/100 in Boise.
Boise clears the bar on housing cost in this dataset. Gilbert deserves a serious look only when your $122,551 income offer in Gilbert outweighs saving $664/month in Boise.
Common questions
Ready to move to Gilbert?
Next steps
Quotes and listings for Gilbert when you're ready to act.
Keep researching
Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Gilbert and Boise, plus other cities in AZ and ID.
