City comparison
No. Gilbert's crime index is 47 versus 261 in Philadelphia, and its violent crime index is 37 versus 252, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Philadelphia is cheaper. Median rent is $1,397 a month versus $2,110 in Gilbert.
The income gap between Philadelphia and Gilbert is significant: $61,953 median household versus $122,551. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,397 in Philadelphia 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. Philadelphia 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. Philadelphia at $1,397 average has pockets that run $1,197 and others at $1,797: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Philadelphia and Gilbert are 2,066 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,397 a month in Philadelphia to $2,110 a month in Gilbert, up $713 a month (51%).
Median household income goes from $61,953 in Philadelphia to $122,551 in Gilbert, up $60,598 (98%).
The crime index goes from 261 in Philadelphia to 47 in Gilbert, down 214 points (82%).
The move
Gilbert and Philadelphia are 2,066 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,110 a month in Gilbert to $1,397 a month in Philadelphia, down $713 a month (34%).
Median household income goes from $122,551 in Gilbert to $61,953 in Philadelphia, down $60,598 (49%).
The crime index goes from 47 in Gilbert to 261 in Philadelphia, up 214 points (455%).
Philadelphia, PA
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 Philadelphia and Gilbert? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
34% cheaper
Philadelphia rent is 34% cheaper than Gilbert
Philadelphia
Winner$1,397/mo
Gilbert
$2,110/mo
Typical rent runs $1,397 a month in Philadelphia versus $2,110 in Gilbert, so Philadelphia is 34% cheaper. That's roughly $713/month back in your pocket ($8,556/year). Over five years that's $42,780 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, Philadelphia 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
98% higher
Gilbert's median income is 98% higher than Philadelphia
Philadelphia
$61,953
Gilbert
Winner$122,551
Median household income is $122,551 in Gilbert versus $61,953 in Philadelphia, so typical pay runs 98% higher in Gilbert (about $60,598 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. Philadelphia can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
82% lower crime
Gilbert's crime index is 82% lower than Philadelphia
Philadelphia
261 (100 = avg)
Gilbert
Winner47 (100 = avg)
Gilbert's crime index is 47 versus 261 in Philadelphia (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 82% 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. Philadelphia can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
45% more comfortable
Gilbert weather is 45% more comfortable than Philadelphia
Philadelphia
54°F avg · 61°F highs · comfort 69/100
Gilbert
Winner80°F avg · 87°F highs · comfort 100/100
Philadelphia averages about 54°F (61°F highs); Gilbert averages about 80°F (87°F highs). Philadelphia averages around 54°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Gilbert sits near 80°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Gilbert scores 45% 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 Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia
Philadelphia is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 34% cheaper here at about $1,397 a month. Choose Philadelphia 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 98% 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 82% lower than Philadelphia (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 31/100 in Philadelphia. Rent is $2,110/month in Gilbert and $1,397/month in Philadelphia, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
Philadelphia rent at $1,397/month is still below Gilbert's $2,110, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Typical rent stays $1,397 in Philadelphia and $2,110 in Gilbert.
Most movers who prioritize safety land in Gilbert; Philadelphia only makes sense when you have walked the Philadelphia ZIP you would rent and accept the trade for $1,397 rent.
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 Philadelphia and Gilbert, plus other cities in PA and AZ.
