City Comparison
Gilbert vs Scottsdale
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Gilbert scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Gilbert
Scottsdale
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Scottsdale is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
13% lower than in Gilbert.
Housing costs are a major driver: Gilbert's average rent is
24% higher than Scottsdale's.
| Metric | Gilbert | Scottsdale | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,400 | $1,930 | +24% |
| Groceries | $400 | $420 | -5% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $130 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $230 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $3,320 | $2,890 | +15% |
| Cost Index | 104 | 118 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Scottsdale offers 12% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Gilbert delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Gilbert is estimated at
$65,000 vs $68,000 in Scottsdale.
| Metric | Gilbert | Scottsdale |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $75,000 | $85,000 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $68,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 72,115 idx | 72,034 idx |
| Household Income | $122,551 | $110,886 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Gilbert | Scottsdale |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 75.90°F | 75.90°F |
| Summer High | 106.20°F | 106.10°F |
| Winter Low | 47.50°F | 47.40°F |
| Rainfall | 13.40 in | 15.70 in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | 0.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 330 | 325 |
| Humidity | 30.00% | 31.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Scottsdale has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Gilbert.
Scottsdale scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Scottsdale leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Gilbert | Scottsdale |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 51.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 54.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Gilbert is the larger city
— approximately 1.2x the population of Scottsdale.
From a growth perspective, Gilbert is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Gilbert has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Gilbert | Scottsdale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 287,285 | 243,821 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | 0.30% |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 49.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 4.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Gilbert
Advantages
Median household income exceeds $122,000, reflecting a prosperous local economy per U.S. Census Bureau data.
Consistently ranked among the safest large towns and cities in the United States.
Exceptional public school system performance paired with high educational attainment rates.
Vibrant Heritage District offering diverse dining, shopping, and community events.
Abundant outdoor recreation infrastructure, including the Riparian Preserve and extensive trail networks.
Drawbacks
Summer high temperatures regularly exceed 100°F for multiple consecutive months.
High cost of living and housing prices relative to the national average and broader state figures.
Significant car dependency with limited public mass transit options.
Rapid development is steadily reducing remaining vacant land and open desert spaces.
Traffic congestion during peak hours along major arterial corridors.
Scottsdale
Advantages
Median household income stands at an affluent $110,886 per year per U.S. Census Bureau estimates.
Exceptional educational attainment with over 62% of residents holding a bachelor's degree or higher.
Consistently low crime rates and high safety scores relative to other major U.S. metropolitan areas.
Access to over 300 days of sunshine annually alongside premier outdoor recreation like the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.
Thriving job market anchored by healthcare, tourism, technology, and corporate business sectors.
Drawbacks
Cost of living and housing prices run significantly higher than the national average.
Extreme summer high temperatures averaging 106.1°F require heavy reliance on air conditioning.
High degree of car dependency outside of core walkable entertainment districts like Old Town.
Competitive real estate market makes affordable housing options scarce for middle-income earners.
Seasonal tourist influxes lead to heavy traffic congestion and crowded local amenities during peak winter months.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Gilbert
#44Arizona, USA
71.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,400
Avg Salary
$75,000
Cost Index
104
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
330/yr
Avg Temp
75.90°F
Pop. Growth
1.50%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
85
Business
78
Scottsdale
#305Arizona, USA
61.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,930
Avg Salary
$85,000
Cost Index
118
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
51.0/100
Sunny Days
325/yr
Avg Temp
75.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.30%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
83
Business
79
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