City comparison
No. Gilbert's crime index is 47 versus 270 in Houston, and its violent crime index is 37 versus 294, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Houston is cheaper. Median rent is $1,361 a month versus $2,110 in Gilbert.
The income gap between Houston and Gilbert is significant: $64,813 median household versus $122,551. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,361 in Houston and $2,110 in Gilbert.
This is a genuine split. Houston wins on cost of living and Gilbert wins on the job market and safety. 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. Houston at $1,361 average has pockets that run $1,161 and others at $1,761: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Houston and Gilbert are 997 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,361 a month in Houston to $2,110 a month in Gilbert, up $749 a month (55%).
Median household income goes from $64,813 in Houston to $122,551 in Gilbert, up $57,738 (89%).
The crime index goes from 270 in Houston to 47 in Gilbert, down 223 points (83%).
The move
Gilbert and Houston are 997 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,110 a month in Gilbert to $1,361 a month in Houston, down $749 a month (35%).
Median household income goes from $122,551 in Gilbert to $64,813 in Houston, down $57,738 (47%).
The crime index goes from 47 in Gilbert to 270 in Houston, up 223 points (474%).
Houston, TX
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 Houston and Gilbert? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
35% cheaper
Houston rent is 35% cheaper than Gilbert
Houston
Winner$1,361/mo
Gilbert
$2,110/mo
Typical rent runs $1,361 a month in Houston versus $2,110 in Gilbert, so Houston is 35% cheaper. That's roughly $749/month back in your pocket ($8,988/year). Over five years that's $44,940 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, Houston 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
89% higher
Gilbert's median income is 89% higher than Houston
Houston
$64,813
Gilbert
Winner$122,551
Median household income is $122,551 in Gilbert versus $64,813 in Houston, so typical pay runs 89% higher in Gilbert (about $57,738 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. Houston can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
83% lower crime
Gilbert's crime index is 83% lower than Houston
Houston
270 (100 = avg)
Gilbert
Winner47 (100 = avg)
Gilbert's crime index is 47 versus 270 in Houston (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 83% 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. Houston can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Houston and Gilbert are about even on typical weather.
Houston
70°F avg · 78°F highs · comfort 100/100
Gilbert
80°F avg · 87°F highs · comfort 100/100
Houston averages about 70°F (78°F highs); Gilbert averages about 80°F (87°F highs). Houston sits near 70°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Gilbert sits near 80°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
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Houston
Houston is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 35% cheaper here at about $1,361 a month. Choose Houston 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 and professional growth
Gilbert is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 89% 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 83% lower than Houston (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
Neither city is a free pass on neighborhood choice, but Gilbert leads on safety (83/100 vs 30/100 in Houston). Typical rent is $2,110 in Gilbert and $1,361 in Houston; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
Houston rent at $1,361/month is still below Gilbert's $2,110, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Typical rent stays $1,361 in Houston and $2,110 in Gilbert.
Between Houston and Gilbert, Gilbert is ahead on safety — 83/100 safety versus 30/100. Lean Houston instead when you already know the Houston block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
Common questions
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Next steps
Quotes and listings for Gilbert when you're ready to act.
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Houston and Gilbert, plus other cities in TX and AZ.
