City comparison
No. Gilbert's crime index is 47 versus 495 in Memphis, and its violent crime index is 37 versus 629, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Memphis is cheaper. Median rent is $1,181 a month versus $2,110 in Gilbert.
The income gap between Memphis and Gilbert is significant: $51,736 median household versus $122,551. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,181 in Memphis and $2,110 in Gilbert.
This is a genuine split. Memphis 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. Memphis at $1,181 average has pockets that run $981 and others at $1,581: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Memphis and Gilbert are 1,245 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,181 a month in Memphis to $2,110 a month in Gilbert, up $929 a month (79%).
Median household income goes from $51,736 in Memphis to $122,551 in Gilbert, up $70,815 (137%).
The crime index goes from 495 in Memphis to 47 in Gilbert, down 448 points (91%).
The move
Gilbert and Memphis are 1,245 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,110 a month in Gilbert to $1,181 a month in Memphis, down $929 a month (44%).
Median household income goes from $122,551 in Gilbert to $51,736 in Memphis, down $70,815 (58%).
The crime index goes from 47 in Gilbert to 495 in Memphis, up 448 points (953%).
Memphis, TN
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 Memphis and Gilbert? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
44% cheaper
Memphis rent is 44% cheaper than Gilbert
Memphis
Winner$1,181/mo
Gilbert
$2,110/mo
Typical rent runs $1,181 a month in Memphis versus $2,110 in Gilbert, so Memphis is 44% cheaper. That's roughly $929/month back in your pocket ($11,148/year). Over five years that's $55,740 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, Memphis 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
137% higher
Gilbert's median income is 137% higher than Memphis
Memphis
$51,736
Gilbert
Winner$122,551
Median household income is $122,551 in Gilbert versus $51,736 in Memphis, so typical pay runs 137% higher in Gilbert (about $70,815 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. Memphis can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
91% lower crime
Gilbert's crime index is 91% lower than Memphis
Memphis
495 (100 = avg)
Gilbert
Winner47 (100 = avg)
Gilbert's crime index is 47 versus 495 in Memphis (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 91% 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. Memphis can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Memphis and Gilbert are about even on typical weather.
Memphis
68°F avg · 78°F highs · comfort 100/100
Gilbert
80°F avg · 87°F highs · comfort 100/100
Memphis averages about 68°F (78°F highs); Gilbert averages about 80°F (87°F highs). Memphis sits near 68°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 Memphis
Memphis is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 44% cheaper here at about $1,181 a month. Choose Memphis 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 137% 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 91% lower than Memphis (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
Crime and safety tilt toward Gilbert: Gilbert scores 83/100 versus 11/100 in Memphis, with typical rent at $2,110 versus $1,181. I would vet the exact ZIP in Memphis before trading 72 safety points for housing savings.
Memphis rent at $1,181/month is still below Gilbert's $2,110, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Typical rent stays $1,181 in Memphis and $2,110 in Gilbert.
If safety drives your move, Gilbert is the stronger match (83/100 safety versus 11/100). If an employer or family tie already points to Memphis, treat $1,181/month rent and $51,736 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Memphis and Gilbert, plus other cities in TN and AZ.
