City Comparison
Tempe vs Gilbert
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Gilbert scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Tempe
Gilbert
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Tempe is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
12% lower than in Gilbert.
Housing costs are a major driver: Tempe's average rent is
19% lower than Gilbert's.
| Metric | Tempe | Gilbert | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,939 | $2,400 | -19% |
| Groceries | $440 | $400 | +10% |
| Utilities | $195 | $180 | +8% |
| Transport | $115 | $120 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $220 | +9% |
| Monthly Total | $2,929 | $3,320 | -12% |
| Cost Index | 105 | 104 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Tempe offers 1% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Tempe delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Tempe is estimated at
$62,000 vs $65,000 in Gilbert.
| Metric | Tempe | Gilbert |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $76,000 | $75,000 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $65,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 72,381 idx | 72,115 idx |
| Household Income | $79,663 | $122,551 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.39999999999999°F of each other.
| Metric | Tempe | Gilbert |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 76.30°F | 75.90°F |
| Summer High | 106.60°F | 106.20°F |
| Winter Low | 47.50°F | 47.50°F |
| Rainfall | 15.40 in | 13.40 in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | 0.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 327 | 330 |
| Humidity | 31.00% | 30.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Tempe has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Gilbert.
Tempe scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Tempe leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Tempe | Gilbert |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 54.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 52.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Gilbert is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of Tempe.
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 | Tempe | Gilbert |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 190,571 | 287,285 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.53% | 1.50% |
| Median Age | 30.0 | 36.1 |
| Unemployment | 4.60% | 4.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Tempe
Advantages
Median property value in Tempe stands at $455,400 with steady regional appreciation per U.S. Census data.
Exceptional multi-modal transit featuring the Valley Metro Light Rail and free Orbit circulators connecting directly to Sky Harbor Airport.
Abundant outdoor recreation centered around Tempe Town Lake, Hayden Butte, and over 320 sunny days per year.
Thriving high-tech and educational economy driven by Arizona State University and major corporate employers.
Vibrant dining, arts, and cultural scene anchored by Downtown Tempe and Mill Avenue establishments.
Drawbacks
Intense summer heat with average daily highs exceeding 106°F requires high seasonal cooling expenditures.
Average monthly rent of $1,939 creates affordability challenges for lower-income renters and entry-level workers.
Property crime rates, particularly bicycle and vehicle thefts, are elevated around high-density student and entertainment zones.
Housing inventory for single-family homes is competitive, leading to fast-paced bidding and limited starter inventory.
Traffic congestion during peak university semesters and major stadium events impacts primary arterial corridors.
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.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Tempe
#412Arizona, USA
57.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,939
Avg Salary
$76,000
Cost Index
105
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
54.0/100
Sunny Days
327/yr
Avg Temp
76.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.53%
Unemployment
4.60%
Livability
79
Business
80
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
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