Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Federal Way, WA
VS
Gilbert, AZ
🏆 Gilbert leads 19 of 22 categories
Federal Way
Washington
3
wins
Cost of Living Index
113.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$80,360
Violent Crime Index
144⚠ High
Population
99,614
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.
Federal Way, WA
Pros
Cooler summers — July highs near 77°F vs 104°F
Rent averages $179/mo less ($1,660 vs $1,839)
Cons
Median income trails Gilbert by $34,819/yr
Violent crime (545.4/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 113.0)
Property crime (4372.3/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Gilbert, AZ
Pros
76% less violent crime than Federal Way
Households earn $34,819 more per year on average
Violent crime is well below the national average (132.2 vs 380/100k)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.0 pts lower (3.5%)
More college-educated — 47.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,839/mo
Hot summers — July highs average 104°F
Key Differences at a Glance
Gilbert
Cost of Living
11% cheaper
COL index 102.5 vs 113.0 (100 = US avg)
Gilbert
Median Income
$34,819
$115,179 vs $80,360/yr
Gilbert
Violent Crime
76% lower
132.2 vs 545.4 per 100k
Gilbert
Unemployment
2.0 pp lower
3.5% vs 5.5% unemployment
Gilbert
Summer Heat
27.4°F warmer
July avg high 104.2°F vs 76.8°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Federal Way, WA | Gilbert, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 113.0⚠ High | 102.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $454,300⚠ High | $454,300⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,660⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,839⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $80,360 | $115,179 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5%⚠ High | 3.5% ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 33.3 min⚠ High | 26.7 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 10.9% | 20.5% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 169⚠ High | 39 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 144⚠ High | 35 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 208⚠ High | 46 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (92) | A- (110) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 18.3:1 | 16.5:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 30.6% | 47.1% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 90.2% | 96.3% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Federal Way School District | Gilbert Unified District (4239) |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 48.1°F | 65.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 76.8°F | 104.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 40.6" | 8.8" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 6.3" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 99,614 | 267,267 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 37.4 ✓ Older | 35.4 |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.4% | 74.7% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 23.0% | 29.4% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 14.2% ✓ More | 10.2% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Federal Way's cost of living index is 113.0 vs Gilbert's 102.5 (US average = 100).
Gilbert is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Gilbert leads 19 of 22 categories. Federal Way wins 3 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 Federal Way to Gilbert or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($454,300 vs $454,300 median home), income ($80,360 vs $115,179), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Federal Way, WA and Gilbert, AZ are about 1,115 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.