City Comparison
Gilbert vs Sierra Vista
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Gilbert scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Gilbert
Sierra Vista
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Sierra Vista is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
30% lower than in Gilbert.
Housing costs are a major driver: Gilbert's average rent is
70% higher than Sierra Vista's.
| Metric | Gilbert | Sierra Vista | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,400 | $1,410 | +70% |
| Groceries | $400 | $400 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $110 | +9% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $220 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $3,320 | $2,320 | +43% |
| Cost Index | 104 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Gilbert offers 21% higher 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 $48,000 in Sierra Vista.
| Metric | Gilbert | Sierra Vista |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $75,000 | $62,000 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 72,115 idx | 67,391 idx |
| Household Income | $122,551 | $70,291 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Gilbert runs warmer on average — a 10.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Gilbert comes out ahead with 15 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Sierra Vista sees 1.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Gilbert | Sierra Vista |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 75.90°F | 65.60°F |
| Summer High | 106.20°F | 91.10°F |
| Winter Low | 47.50°F | 40.80°F |
| Rainfall | 13.40 in | 12.20 in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | 1.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 330 | 315 |
| Humidity | 30.00% | 35.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Sierra Vista has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Gilbert.
| Metric | Gilbert | Sierra Vista |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 28.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Gilbert is the larger city
— approximately 6.4x the population of Sierra Vista.
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 | Sierra Vista |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 287,285 | 44,710 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | — |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 37.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 4.20% |
| 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.
Sierra Vista
Advantages
Median home prices in Sierra Vista remain roughly 15% below the national average per Zillow market data.
Average commute times of 17.5 minutes are significantly shorter than the U.S. average per Census Bureau data.
Exceptional access to pristine outdoor recreation, including the Huachuca Mountains and San Pedro Riparian area.
Strong economic stability driven by Fort Huachuca, anchoring defense and technology jobs.
Over 315 days of sunshine annually, paired with a comfortable high-elevation climate.
Drawbacks
Summer high temperatures regularly exceed 90°F, requiring heavy air conditioning usage.
Limited public mass transit infrastructure creates a high reliance on personal vehicles.
Local wages in non-defense sectors can lag behind major metropolitan economic centers.
Geographic isolation from major metropolitan hubs requires lengthy drives for specialized entertainment or major flight hubs.
Local water resource management is an ongoing regional concern given the arid southern Arizona environment.
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
Sierra Vista
#128Arizona, USA
66.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,410
Avg Salary
$62,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
315/yr
Avg Temp
65.60°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
78
Business
70
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