City comparison
No. Gilbert's crime index is 47 versus 183 in Oklahoma City, and its violent crime index is 37 versus 197, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Oklahoma City is cheaper. Median rent is $1,130 a month versus $2,110 in Gilbert.
The income gap between Oklahoma City and Gilbert is significant: $68,656 median household versus $122,551. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,130 in Oklahoma City and $2,110 in Gilbert.
Gilbert is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Oklahoma City 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. Oklahoma City at $1,130 average has pockets that run $930 and others at $1,530: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Oklahoma City and Gilbert are 826 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,130 a month in Oklahoma City to $2,110 a month in Gilbert, up $980 a month (87%).
Median household income goes from $68,656 in Oklahoma City to $122,551 in Gilbert, up $53,895 (79%).
The crime index goes from 183 in Oklahoma City to 47 in Gilbert, down 136 points (74%).
The move
Gilbert and Oklahoma City are 826 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,110 a month in Gilbert to $1,130 a month in Oklahoma City, down $980 a month (46%).
Median household income goes from $122,551 in Gilbert to $68,656 in Oklahoma City, down $53,895 (44%).
The crime index goes from 47 in Gilbert to 183 in Oklahoma City, up 136 points (289%).
Oklahoma City, OK
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 Oklahoma City and Gilbert? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
46% cheaper
Oklahoma City rent is 46% cheaper than Gilbert
Oklahoma City
Winner$1,130/mo
Gilbert
$2,110/mo
Typical rent runs $1,130 a month in Oklahoma City versus $2,110 in Gilbert, so Oklahoma City is 46% cheaper. That's roughly $980/month back in your pocket ($11,760/year). Over five years that's $58,800 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, Oklahoma City 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
79% higher
Gilbert's median income is 79% higher than Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City
$68,656
Gilbert
Winner$122,551
Median household income is $122,551 in Gilbert versus $68,656 in Oklahoma City, so typical pay runs 79% higher in Gilbert (about $53,895 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. Oklahoma City can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
74% lower crime
Gilbert's crime index is 74% lower than Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City
183 (100 = avg)
Gilbert
Winner47 (100 = avg)
Gilbert's crime index is 47 versus 183 in Oklahoma City (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 74% 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. Oklahoma City can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
12% more comfortable
Gilbert weather is 12% more comfortable than Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City
61°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 89/100
Gilbert
Winner80°F avg · 87°F highs · comfort 100/100
Oklahoma City averages about 61°F (69°F highs); Gilbert averages about 80°F (87°F highs). Oklahoma City averages around 61°F. Gilbert sits near 80°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Gilbert scores 12% 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 Oklahoma City if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 46% cheaper here at about $1,130 a month. Choose Oklahoma City 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 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 79% 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 74% lower than Oklahoma City (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
Safety is the widest gap: Gilbert scores 83/100 versus 42/100 in Oklahoma City. Rent is $2,110/month in Gilbert and $1,130/month in Oklahoma City, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
Gilbert still pays more locally ($122,551 median income vs $68,656), which can offset the lease if your field pays Gilbert rates.
Median income is $122,551 in Gilbert versus $68,656 in Oklahoma City.
Gilbert is ahead on safety (83/100 vs 42/100); Oklahoma City is still viable when you have a vetted ZIP there and $1,130/month rent plus $68,656 income fit your budget better than the safety margin.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Oklahoma City and Gilbert, plus other cities in OK and AZ.
