Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Alexandria, VA
VS
Gilbert, AZ
🏆 Gilbert leads 16 of 22 categories
Alexandria
Virginia
6
wins
Cost of Living Index
108.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$113,179
Violent Crime Index
58
Population
157,594
Gilbert
Arizona
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$115,179 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
35 ✓ Safer
Population
267,267 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Alexandria, VA
Pros
Violent crime is well below the national average (219.1 vs 380/100k)
More college-educated — 66.0% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 90°F vs 104°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $655,700
Property crime (2640.0/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Longer commutes — 30.1 min average each way
Higher rents — median is $1,983/mo
Gilbert, AZ
Pros
Homes cost $201k less ($454,300 vs $655,700)
40% less violent crime than Alexandria
Violent crime is well below the national average (132.2 vs 380/100k)
Milder winters — January highs near 66°F vs 45°F
Commutes run 3 min shorter each way
Rent averages $144/mo less ($1,839 vs $1,983)
Cons
Hot summers — July highs average 104°F
Key Differences at a Glance
Gilbert
Cost of Living
6% cheaper
COL index 102.5 vs 108.6 (100 = US avg)
Gilbert
Median Income
$2,000
$115,179 vs $113,179/yr
Gilbert
Violent Crime
40% lower
132.2 vs 219.1 per 100k
Gilbert
Median Home Value
$201k less
$454,300 vs $655,700
Gilbert
Summer Heat
14.6°F warmer
July avg high 104.2°F vs 89.6°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Gilbert, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 108.6⚠ High | 102.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $655,700⚠ High | $454,300⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,983⚠ High | $1,839⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $113,179 | $115,179 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% ✓ Lower | 3.5% |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 30.1 min⚠ High | 26.7 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 22.1% ✓ Higher | 20.5% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 85 | 39 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 58 | 35 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 126⚠ High | 46 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (110) | A- (110) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.1:1 ✓ Smaller | 16.5:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 66.0% ✓ Higher | 47.1% |
| High School or Higher | 93.7% | 96.3% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Alexandria City Public Schools | Gilbert Unified District (4239) |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 44.8°F | 65.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 89.6°F | 104.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 41.8" | 8.8" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 13.7" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 157,594 | 267,267 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 37.4 ✓ Older | 35.4 |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 74.7% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 18.1% | 29.4% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.3% ✓ More | 10.2% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Alexandria's cost of living index is 108.6 vs Gilbert's 102.5 (US average = 100).
Gilbert is 6% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Gilbert leads 16 of 22 categories. Alexandria wins 6 and Gilbert wins 16. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Alexandria to Gilbert or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($655,700 vs $454,300 median home), income ($113,179 vs $115,179), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Alexandria, VA and Gilbert, AZ are about 1,961 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.