City comparison
Yes. Gilbert's crime index is 47 versus 189 in Lubbock, and its violent crime index is 37 versus 221, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Lubbock is cheaper. Median rent is $1,182 a month versus $2,110 in Gilbert.
The income gap between Gilbert and Lubbock is significant: $122,551 median household versus $60,895. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $2,110 in Gilbert and $1,182 in Lubbock.
Gilbert is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Lubbock 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. Lubbock at $1,182 average has pockets that run $982 and others at $1,582: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Gilbert and Lubbock are 573 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,110 a month in Gilbert to $1,182 a month in Lubbock, down $928 a month (44%).
Median household income goes from $122,551 in Gilbert to $60,895 in Lubbock, down $61,656 (50%).
The crime index goes from 47 in Gilbert to 189 in Lubbock, up 142 points (302%).
The move
Lubbock and Gilbert are 573 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,182 a month in Lubbock to $2,110 a month in Gilbert, up $928 a month (79%).
Median household income goes from $60,895 in Lubbock to $122,551 in Gilbert, up $61,656 (101%).
The crime index goes from 189 in Lubbock to 47 in Gilbert, down 142 points (75%).
Gilbert, AZ
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Lubbock, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Gilbert and Lubbock? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
44% cheaper
Lubbock rent is 44% cheaper than Gilbert
Gilbert
$2,110/mo
Lubbock
Winner$1,182/mo
Typical rent runs $1,182 a month in Lubbock versus $2,110 in Gilbert, so Lubbock is 44% cheaper. That's roughly $928/month back in your pocket ($11,136/year). Over five years that's $55,680 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, Lubbock 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
101% higher
Gilbert's median income is 101% higher than Lubbock
Gilbert
Winner$122,551
Lubbock
$60,895
Median household income is $122,551 in Gilbert versus $60,895 in Lubbock, so typical pay runs 101% higher in Gilbert (about $61,656 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. Lubbock can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
75% lower crime
Gilbert's crime index is 75% lower than Lubbock
Gilbert
Winner47 (100 = avg)
Lubbock
189 (100 = avg)
Gilbert's crime index is 47 versus 189 in Lubbock (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 75% 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. Lubbock can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
9% more comfortable
Gilbert weather is 9% more comfortable than Lubbock
Gilbert
Winner80°F avg · 87°F highs · comfort 100/100
Lubbock
62°F avg · 70°F highs · comfort 92/100
Gilbert averages about 80°F (87°F highs); Lubbock averages about 62°F (70°F highs). Gilbert sits near 80°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Lubbock averages around 62°F. Gilbert scores 9% 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 Lubbock 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 101% 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 75% lower than Lubbock (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 Lubbock
Lubbock is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 44% cheaper here at about $1,182 a month. Choose Lubbock if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Bottom line
Neither city is a free pass on neighborhood choice, but Gilbert leads on safety (83/100 vs 41/100 in Lubbock). Typical rent is $2,110 in Gilbert and $1,182 in Lubbock; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
Gilbert still pays more locally ($122,551 median income vs $60,895), which can offset the lease if your field pays Gilbert rates.
Median income is $122,551 in Gilbert versus $60,895 in Lubbock.
Gilbert is ahead on safety (83/100 vs 41/100); Lubbock is still viable when you have a vetted ZIP there and $1,182/month rent plus $60,895 income fit your budget better than the safety margin.
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 Lubbock, plus other cities in AZ and TX.
