Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Gilbert, AZ
VS
Olathe, KS
🏆 Gilbert leads 12 of 23 categories
Gilbert
Arizona
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$115,179 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
35 ✓ Safer
Population
267,267 ✓ Larger
Olathe
Kansas
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
93.3 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$108,077
Violent Crime Index
52
Population
142,114
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Gilbert, AZ
Pros
33% less violent crime than Olathe
Violent crime is well below the national average (132.2 vs 380/100k)
Milder winters — January highs near 66°F vs 39°F
Households earn $7,102 more per year on average
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,839/mo
Pricier housing — median home is $454,300
Cost of living runs 9% higher than Olathe
Hot summers — July highs average 104°F
Olathe, KS
Pros
Rent averages $610/mo less ($1,229 vs $1,839)
Homes cost $136k less ($317,900 vs $454,300)
Violent crime is well below the national average (196.0 vs 380/100k)
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
Cooler summers — July highs near 88°F vs 104°F
9% cheaper overall cost of living than Gilbert
Cons
Median income trails Gilbert by $7,102/yr
Key Differences at a Glance
Gilbert
Median Income
$7,102
$115,179 vs $108,077/yr
Gilbert
Violent Crime
33% lower
132.2 vs 196.0 per 100k
Gilbert
Summer Heat
16.0°F warmer
July avg high 104.2°F vs 88.2°F
Olathe
Cost of Living
9% cheaper
COL index 93.3 vs 102.5 (100 = US avg)
Olathe
Median Home Value
$136k less
$317,900 vs $454,300
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Gilbert, AZ | Olathe, KS |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.5⚠ High | 93.3 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $454,300⚠ High | $317,900⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,839⚠ High | $1,229 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $115,179 ✓ Higher | $108,077 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 3.2% ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 26.7 min | 21.5 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 20.5% ✓ Higher | 16.3% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 39 ✓ Safer | 49 |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 35 ✓ Safer | 52 |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 46 | 45 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (110) | A (125) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.5:1 | 4.7:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 47.1% | 50.9% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 96.3% ✓ Higher | 94.7% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Gilbert Unified District (4239) | School for Deaf |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 65.6°F ✓ Warmer | 38.7°F |
| Avg High — July | 104.2°F ✓ Warmer | 88.2°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 8.8" ✓ Drier | 40.7" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 13.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 267,267 ✓ Larger | 142,114 |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 36.3 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.7% ✓ Higher | 73.5% |
| Under 18 | 29.4% ✓ More | 26.8% |
| Over 65 | 10.2% | 12.6% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Gilbert's cost of living index is 102.5 vs Olathe's 93.3 (US average = 100).
Olathe is 9% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Gilbert leads 12 of 23 categories. Gilbert wins 12 and Olathe wins 11. 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 Olathe or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($454,300 vs $317,900 median home), income ($115,179 vs $108,077), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Gilbert, AZ and Olathe, KS are about 1,018 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.