City comparison
Yes. Gilbert's crime index is 47 versus 134 in Huntsville, and its violent crime index is 37 versus 127, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Huntsville is cheaper. Median rent is $1,171 a month versus $2,110 in Gilbert.
Safety is where Gilbert and Huntsville split most clearly. Gilbert scores 87 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $2,110 in Gilbert and $1,171 in Huntsville.
Gilbert is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Huntsville 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. Huntsville at $1,171 average has pockets that run $971 and others at $1,571: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Gilbert and Huntsville are 1,442 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,110 a month in Gilbert to $1,171 a month in Huntsville, down $939 a month (45%).
Median household income goes from $122,551 in Gilbert to $74,714 in Huntsville, down $47,837 (39%).
The crime index goes from 47 in Gilbert to 134 in Huntsville, up 87 points (185%).
The move
Huntsville and Gilbert are 1,442 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,171 a month in Huntsville to $2,110 a month in Gilbert, up $939 a month (80%).
Median household income goes from $74,714 in Huntsville to $122,551 in Gilbert, up $47,837 (64%).
The crime index goes from 134 in Huntsville to 47 in Gilbert, down 87 points (65%).
Gilbert, AZ
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Huntsville, AL
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Gilbert and Huntsville? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
45% cheaper
Huntsville rent is 45% cheaper than Gilbert
Gilbert
$2,110/mo
Huntsville
Winner$1,171/mo
Typical rent runs $1,171 a month in Huntsville versus $2,110 in Gilbert, so Huntsville is 45% cheaper. That's roughly $939/month back in your pocket ($11,268/year). Over five years that's $56,340 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, Huntsville 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
64% higher
Gilbert's median income is 64% higher than Huntsville
Gilbert
Winner$122,551
Huntsville
$74,714
Median household income is $122,551 in Gilbert versus $74,714 in Huntsville, so typical pay runs 64% higher in Gilbert (about $47,837 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. Huntsville can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
65% lower crime
Gilbert's crime index is 65% lower than Huntsville
Gilbert
Winner47 (100 = avg)
Huntsville
134 (100 = avg)
Gilbert's crime index is 47 versus 134 in Huntsville (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 65% 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. Huntsville can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
6% more comfortable
Gilbert weather is 6% more comfortable than Huntsville
Gilbert
Winner80°F avg · 87°F highs · comfort 100/100
Huntsville
63°F avg · 74°F highs · comfort 94/100
Gilbert averages about 80°F (87°F highs); Huntsville averages about 63°F (74°F highs). Gilbert sits near 80°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Huntsville averages around 63°F. Gilbert scores 6% 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 Huntsville 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 64% 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 65% lower than Huntsville (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 Huntsville
Huntsville is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 45% cheaper here at about $1,171 a month. Choose Huntsville if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Bottom line
Crime and safety tilt toward Gilbert: Gilbert scores 83/100 versus 51/100 in Huntsville, with typical rent at $2,110 versus $1,171. I would vet the exact ZIP in Huntsville before trading 32 safety points for housing savings.
Gilbert still pays more locally ($122,551 median income vs $74,714), which can offset the lease if your field pays Gilbert rates.
Median income is $122,551 in Gilbert versus $74,714 in Huntsville.
Gilbert clears the bar on safety in this dataset. Huntsville deserves a serious look only when you already know the Huntsville block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
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 Huntsville, plus other cities in AZ and AL.
