City Comparison
Gilbert vs Yuma
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Gilbert scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Gilbert
Yuma
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Yuma is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
27% lower than in Gilbert.
Housing costs are a major driver: Gilbert's average rent is
60% higher than Yuma's.
| Metric | Gilbert | Yuma | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,400 | $1,500 | +60% |
| Groceries | $400 | $400 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $220 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $3,320 | $2,420 | +37% |
| Cost Index | 104 | 93 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Gilbert offers 36% 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 Yuma.
| Metric | Gilbert | Yuma |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $75,000 | $55,200 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 72,115 idx | 59,355 idx |
| Household Income | $122,551 | $65,482 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.5°F of each other.
For sunshine, Yuma comes out ahead with 17 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
| Metric | Gilbert | Yuma |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 75.90°F | 77.40°F |
| Summer High | 106.20°F | 107.10°F |
| Winter Low | 47.50°F | 51.00°F |
| Rainfall | 13.40 in | 5.80 in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | 0.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 330 | 347 |
| Humidity | 30.00% | 35.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Yuma has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Gilbert.
Gilbert scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Gilbert leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Gilbert | Yuma |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 22.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 34.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Gilbert is the larger city
— approximately 2.7x the population of Yuma.
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 | Yuma |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 287,285 | 105,227 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | 1.40% |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 33.1 |
| 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.
Yuma
Advantages
Over 340 days of sunshine annually provide an exceptional climate for outdoor recreation and winter warmth.
Housing and overall cost of living remain significantly below the national average and neighboring California markets.
Major stability provided by large military installations (MCAS Yuma and Yuma Proving Ground).
World-class recreational access to the Colorado River for boating, fishing, and water sports.
A rich bicultural community offering vibrant local culture and exceptional authentic dining.
Drawbacks
Extreme summer temperatures frequently exceed 105°F, requiring heavy air conditioning use.
High seasonal unemployment rates driven by cyclical agricultural harvesting schedules.
High degree of car dependency with limited public transit infrastructure.
Summer utility bills can surge significantly due to continuous cooling requirements.
Lower average educational attainment rates compared to national benchmarks in specific segments.
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
Yuma
#187Arizona, USA
64.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,500
Avg Salary
$55,200
Cost Index
93
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
22.0/100
Walkability
34.0/100
Sunny Days
347/yr
Avg Temp
77.40°F
Pop. Growth
1.40%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
74
Business
70
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