City Comparison
Gilbert vs Surprise
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Surprise scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Gilbert
Surprise
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Surprise is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
9% lower than in Gilbert.
Housing costs are a major driver: Gilbert's average rent is
14% higher than Surprise's.
| Metric | Gilbert | Surprise | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,400 | $2,100 | +14% |
| Groceries | $400 | $400 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $220 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $3,320 | $3,020 | +10% |
| Cost Index | 104 | 98 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Gilbert offers 4% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Surprise delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Gilbert is estimated at
$65,000 vs $60,000 in Surprise.
| Metric | Gilbert | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $75,000 | $72,000 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $60,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 72,115 idx | 73,469 idx |
| Household Income | $122,551 | $96,711 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.80000000000001°F of each other.
| Metric | Gilbert | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 75.90°F | 75.10°F |
| Summer High | 106.20°F | 106.10°F |
| Winter Low | 47.50°F | 47.00°F |
| Rainfall | 13.40 in | 10.70 in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | 0.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 330 | 330 |
| Humidity | 30.00% | 30.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
For walkability, Gilbert leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Gilbert | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 52.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Gilbert is the larger city
— approximately 1.7x the population of Surprise.
From a growth perspective, Surprise 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 | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 287,285 | 167,602 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | 3.31% |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 41.4 |
| 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.
Surprise
Advantages
Ranks consistently among the top safest cities in Arizona with low violent crime rates.
Average rent and home prices remain more affordable compared to central Phoenix and Scottsdale.
Hosts Major League Baseball Spring Training at the state-of-the-art Surprise Stadium.
Median household income of $96,711 significantly outperforms the national and state averages.
Abundant sunshine with over 330 sunny days per year supporting an active outdoor lifestyle.
Drawbacks
High summer temperatures exceeding 106°F make outdoor activities difficult during peak afternoons.
High car dependency with limited public mass transit options within the city.
Rapid population growth has occasionally introduced traffic congestion along major commuter corridors.
Significant spike in summer electricity and cooling utility bills due to extreme desert heat.
Summer monsoon season can occasionally bring brief, intense dust storms and heavy rainfall.
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
Surprise
#13Arizona, USA
74.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,100
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
40.0/100
Sunny Days
330/yr
Avg Temp
75.10°F
Pop. Growth
3.31%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
80
Business
72
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