City comparison
No. Gilbert's crime index is 47 versus 158 in Pittsburgh, and its violent crime index is 37 versus 147, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Pittsburgh is cheaper. Median rent is $1,261 a month versus $2,110 in Gilbert.
The income gap between Pittsburgh and Gilbert is significant: $65,742 median household versus $122,551. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,261 in Pittsburgh 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. Pittsburgh 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. Pittsburgh at $1,261 average has pockets that run $1,061 and others at $1,661: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Pittsburgh and Gilbert are 1,813 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,261 a month in Pittsburgh to $2,110 a month in Gilbert, up $849 a month (67%).
Median household income goes from $65,742 in Pittsburgh to $122,551 in Gilbert, up $56,809 (86%).
The crime index goes from 158 in Pittsburgh to 47 in Gilbert, down 111 points (70%).
The move
Gilbert and Pittsburgh are 1,813 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,110 a month in Gilbert to $1,261 a month in Pittsburgh, down $849 a month (40%).
Median household income goes from $122,551 in Gilbert to $65,742 in Pittsburgh, down $56,809 (46%).
The crime index goes from 47 in Gilbert to 158 in Pittsburgh, up 111 points (236%).
Pittsburgh, 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 Pittsburgh and Gilbert? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
40% cheaper
Pittsburgh rent is 40% cheaper than Gilbert
Pittsburgh
Winner$1,261/mo
Gilbert
$2,110/mo
Typical rent runs $1,261 a month in Pittsburgh versus $2,110 in Gilbert, so Pittsburgh is 40% cheaper. That's roughly $849/month back in your pocket ($10,188/year). Over five years that's $50,940 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, Pittsburgh 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
86% higher
Gilbert's median income is 86% higher than Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh
$65,742
Gilbert
Winner$122,551
Median household income is $122,551 in Gilbert versus $65,742 in Pittsburgh, so typical pay runs 86% higher in Gilbert (about $56,809 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. Pittsburgh can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
70% lower crime
Gilbert's crime index is 70% lower than Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh
158 (100 = avg)
Gilbert
Winner47 (100 = avg)
Gilbert's crime index is 47 versus 158 in Pittsburgh (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 70% 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. Pittsburgh can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
64% more comfortable
Gilbert weather is 64% more comfortable than Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh
51°F avg · 58°F highs · comfort 61/100
Gilbert
Winner80°F avg · 87°F highs · comfort 100/100
Pittsburgh averages about 51°F (58°F highs); Gilbert averages about 80°F (87°F highs). Pittsburgh averages around 51°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 64% 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 Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 40% cheaper here at about $1,261 a month. Choose Pittsburgh 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 86% 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 70% lower than Pittsburgh (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
Pittsburgh carries the heavier crime signal on this page (46/100 safety vs 83/100 in Gilbert). That 37-point spread matters more than the $849 rent gap when you are choosing where to walk after dark.
Gilbert still pays more locally ($122,551 median income vs $65,742), which can offset the lease if your field pays Gilbert rates.
Median income is $122,551 in Gilbert versus $65,742 in Pittsburgh.
Gilbert clears the bar on safety in this dataset. Pittsburgh deserves a serious look only when you already know the Pittsburgh block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
Common questions
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Nearby research
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