Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Arvada, CO
VS
Gilbert, AZ
🏆 Gilbert leads 19 of 23 categories
Arvada
Colorado
4
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$106,014
Violent Crime Index
75
Population
123,066
Gilbert
Arizona
19
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.
Arvada, CO
Pros
Cooler summers — July highs near 88°F vs 104°F
Rent averages $133/mo less ($1,706 vs $1,839)
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $553,000
Property crime (2478.9/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Median income trails Gilbert by $9,165/yr
Snowy winters — about 55" of snow per year
Gilbert, AZ
Pros
54% less violent crime than Arvada
Violent crime is well below the national average (132.2 vs 380/100k)
Homes cost $99k less ($454,300 vs $553,000)
Milder winters — January highs near 66°F vs 47°F
Households earn $9,165 more per year on average
3% cheaper overall cost of living than Arvada
Cons
Hot summers — July highs average 104°F
Higher rents — median is $1,839/mo
Key Differences at a Glance
Gilbert
Cost of Living
3% cheaper
COL index 102.5 vs 105.5 (100 = US avg)
Gilbert
Median Income
$9,165
$115,179 vs $106,014/yr
Gilbert
Violent Crime
54% lower
132.2 vs 285.6 per 100k
Gilbert
Median Home Value
$99k less
$454,300 vs $553,000
Gilbert
Summer Heat
16.0°F warmer
July avg high 104.2°F vs 88.2°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Gilbert, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.5⚠ High | 102.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $553,000⚠ High | $454,300⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,706⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,839⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $106,014 | $115,179 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8%⚠ High | 3.5% ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 26.9 min | 26.7 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 18.7% | 20.5% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 92 | 39 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 75 | 35 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 118⚠ High | 46 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (107) | A- (110) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.7:1 | 16.5:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 47.6% ✓ Higher | 47.1% |
| High School or Higher | 95.4% | 96.3% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Jefferson County School District No. R-1 | Gilbert Unified District (4239) |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 47.2°F | 65.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 88.2°F | 104.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 17.9" | 8.8" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 54.8" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 123,066 | 267,267 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 40.2 ✓ Older | 35.4 |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.2% | 74.7% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 20.1% | 29.4% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 17.5% ✓ More | 10.2% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Arvada's cost of living index is 105.5 vs Gilbert's 102.5 (US average = 100).
Gilbert is 3% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Gilbert leads 19 of 23 categories. Arvada wins 4 and Gilbert wins 19. 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 Arvada to Gilbert or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($553,000 vs $454,300 median home), income ($106,014 vs $115,179), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Arvada, CO and Gilbert, AZ are about 580 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.