Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Gilbert, AZ
VS
Memphis, TN
🏆 Gilbert leads 16 of 22 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
Memphis
Tennessee
6
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$48,090
Violent Crime Index
658⚠ High
Population
630,027 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Gilbert, AZ
Pros
Households earn $67,089 more per year on average
95% less violent crime than Memphis
Stronger job market — unemployment is 5.1 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 51°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $454,300
Higher rents — median is $1,839/mo
Cost of living runs 10% higher than Memphis
Hot summers — July highs average 104°F
Memphis, TN
Pros
Homes cost $315k less ($139,600 vs $454,300)
Rent averages $789/mo less ($1,050 vs $1,839)
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
10% cheaper overall cost of living than Gilbert
Cooler summers — July highs near 92°F vs 104°F
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.4)
Cons
Median income trails Gilbert by $67,089/yr
Violent crime (2501.3/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (6899.0/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (8.6% vs 3.5%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Gilbert
Median Income
$67,089
$115,179 vs $48,090/yr
Gilbert
Violent Crime
95% lower
132.2 vs 2501.3 per 100k
Gilbert
Unemployment
5.1 pp lower
3.5% vs 8.6% unemployment
Gilbert
Summer Heat
12.3°F warmer
July avg high 104.2°F vs 91.9°F
Memphis
Cost of Living
10% cheaper
COL index 92.4 vs 102.5 (100 = US avg)
Memphis
Median Home Value
$315k less
$139,600 vs $454,300
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Gilbert, AZ | Memphis, TN |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.5⚠ High | 92.4 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $454,300⚠ High | $139,600 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,839⚠ High | $1,050 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $115,179 ✓ Higher | $48,090 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% ✓ Lower | 8.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 26.7 min | 21.6 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 20.5% ✓ Higher | 6.5% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 39 ✓ Safer | 400⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 35 ✓ Safer | 658⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 46 ✓ Safer | 329⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (110) ✓ Better | C+ (88) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.5:1 | — |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 47.1% ✓ Higher | 27.9% |
| High School or Higher | 96.3% ✓ Higher | 87.2% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Gilbert Unified District (4239) | Memphis-Shelby County Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 65.6°F ✓ Warmer | 50.9°F |
| Avg High — July | 104.2°F ✓ Warmer | 91.9°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 8.8" ✓ Drier | 54.9" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 2.7" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 267,267 | 630,027 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 35.4 ✓ Older | 34.5 |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.7% ✓ Higher | 46.6% |
| Under 18 | 29.4% ✓ More | 24.6% |
| Over 65 | 10.2% | 14.0% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Gilbert's cost of living index is 102.5 vs Memphis's 92.4 (US average = 100).
Memphis is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Gilbert leads 16 of 22 categories. Gilbert wins 16 and Memphis wins 6. 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 Memphis or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($454,300 vs $139,600 median home), income ($115,179 vs $48,090), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Gilbert, AZ and Memphis, TN are about 1,248 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.