Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Gilbert, AZ
VS
Las Cruces, NM
🏆 Gilbert leads 16 of 23 categories
Gilbert
Arizona
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$115,179 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
35 ✓ Safer
Population
267,267 ✓ Larger
Las Cruces
New Mexico
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
93.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$51,013
Violent Crime Index
189⚠ High
Population
111,273
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Gilbert, AZ
Pros
Households earn $64,166 more per year on average
82% less violent crime than Las Cruces
Stronger job market — unemployment is 4.0 pts lower (3.5%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (132.2 vs 380/100k)
More college-educated — 47.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 66°F vs 59°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $454,300
Higher rents — median is $1,839/mo
Cost of living runs 9% higher than Las Cruces
Hot summers — July highs average 104°F
Las Cruces, NM
Pros
Homes cost $257k less ($197,200 vs $454,300)
Rent averages $932/mo less ($907 vs $1,839)
Commutes run 8 min shorter each way
9% cheaper overall cost of living than Gilbert
Living costs sit below the national average (index 93.8)
Cooler summers — July highs near 96°F vs 104°F
Cons
Median income trails Gilbert by $64,166/yr
Violent crime (720.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (4873.4/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (7.5% vs 3.5%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Gilbert
Median Income
$64,166
$115,179 vs $51,013/yr
Gilbert
Violent Crime
82% lower
132.2 vs 720.0 per 100k
Gilbert
Unemployment
4.0 pp lower
3.5% vs 7.5% unemployment
Gilbert
Summer Heat
8.6°F warmer
July avg high 104.2°F vs 95.6°F
Las Cruces
Cost of Living
9% cheaper
COL index 93.8 vs 102.5 (100 = US avg)
Las Cruces
Median Home Value
$257k less
$197,200 vs $454,300
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Gilbert, AZ | Las Cruces, NM |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.5⚠ High | 93.8 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $454,300⚠ High | $197,200 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,839⚠ High | $907 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $115,179 ✓ Higher | $51,013 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% ✓ Lower | 7.5%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 26.7 min | 19.0 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 20.5% ✓ Higher | 7.7% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 39 ✓ Safer | 207⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 35 ✓ Safer | 189⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 46 ✓ Safer | 232⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (110) | A- (113) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.5:1 | 11.2:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 47.1% ✓ Higher | 36.3% |
| High School or Higher | 96.3% ✓ Higher | 87.7% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Gilbert Unified District (4239) | LAS CRUCES |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 65.6°F ✓ Warmer | 58.9°F |
| Avg High — July | 104.2°F ✓ Warmer | 95.6°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 8.8" ✓ Drier | 11.0" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 1.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 267,267 ✓ Larger | 111,273 |
| Median Age | 35.4 ✓ Older | 31.8 |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.7% ✓ Higher | 53.8% |
| Under 18 | 29.4% ✓ More | 23.0% |
| Over 65 | 10.2% | 15.3% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Gilbert's cost of living index is 102.5 vs Las Cruces's 93.8 (US average = 100).
Las Cruces is 9% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Gilbert leads 16 of 23 categories. Gilbert wins 16 and Las Cruces wins 7. 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 Gilbert to Las Cruces or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($454,300 vs $197,200 median home), income ($115,179 vs $51,013), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Gilbert, AZ and Las Cruces, NM are about 296 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.