City comparison
Yes. Gilbert's crime index is 47 versus 99 in Irving, and its violent crime index is 37 versus 78, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Irving is cheaper. Median rent is $1,619 a month versus $2,110 in Gilbert.
Safety is where Gilbert and Irving split most clearly. Gilbert scores 52 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 $1,619 in Irving.
This is a genuine split. Gilbert wins on the job market and safety and Irving wins on cost of living. 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. Irving at $1,619 average has pockets that run $1,419 and others at $2,019: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Gilbert and Irving are 859 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,110 a month in Gilbert to $1,619 a month in Irving, down $491 a month (23%).
Median household income goes from $122,551 in Gilbert to $81,830 in Irving, down $40,721 (33%).
The crime index goes from 47 in Gilbert to 99 in Irving, up 52 points (111%).
The move
Irving and Gilbert are 859 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,619 a month in Irving to $2,110 a month in Gilbert, up $491 a month (30%).
Median household income goes from $81,830 in Irving to $122,551 in Gilbert, up $40,721 (50%).
The crime index goes from 99 in Irving to 47 in Gilbert, down 52 points (53%).
Gilbert, AZ
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Irving, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Gilbert and Irving? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
23% cheaper
Irving rent is 23% cheaper than Gilbert
Gilbert
$2,110/mo
Irving
Winner$1,619/mo
Typical rent runs $1,619 a month in Irving versus $2,110 in Gilbert, so Irving is 23% cheaper. That's roughly $491/month back in your pocket ($5,892/year). Over five years that's $29,460 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, Irving 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
50% higher
Gilbert's median income is 50% higher than Irving
Gilbert
Winner$122,551
Irving
$81,830
Median household income is $122,551 in Gilbert versus $81,830 in Irving, so typical pay runs 50% higher in Gilbert (about $40,721 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. Irving can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
53% lower crime
Gilbert's crime index is 53% lower than Irving
Gilbert
Winner47 (100 = avg)
Irving
99 (100 = avg)
Gilbert's crime index is 47 versus 99 in Irving (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 53% 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. Irving can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Gilbert and Irving are about even on typical weather.
Gilbert
80°F avg · 87°F highs · comfort 100/100
Irving
70°F avg · 78°F highs · comfort 100/100
Gilbert averages about 80°F (87°F highs); Irving averages about 70°F (78°F highs). Gilbert sits near 80°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Irving sits near 70°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
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 50% 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 53% lower than Irving (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 Irving
Irving is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 23% cheaper here at about $1,619 a month. Choose Irving 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 60/100 in Irving, with typical rent at $2,110 versus $1,619. I would vet the exact ZIP in Irving before trading 23 safety points for housing savings.
Irving rent at $1,619/month is still below Gilbert's $2,110, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Typical rent stays $1,619 in Irving and $2,110 in Gilbert.
Pick Gilbert when you want the stronger safety signal (83/100). Otherwise, Irving's case rests on a Irving ZIP you trust at $1,619 rent.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Gilbert and Irving, plus other cities in AZ and TX.
