Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Gilbert, AZ
VS
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
🏆 Gilbert leads 19 of 22 categories
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
Rancho Cucamonga
California
3
wins
Cost of Living Index
107.9⚠ High
Median Household Income
$105,534
Violent Crime Index
77
Population
174,696
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Gilbert, AZ
Pros
55% less violent crime than Rancho Cucamonga
Homes cost $203k less ($454,300 vs $657,400)
Violent crime is well below the national average (132.2 vs 380/100k)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.9 pts lower (3.5%)
Rent averages $345/mo less ($1,839 vs $2,184)
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
Cons
Hot summers — July highs average 104°F
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Pros
Cooler summers — July highs near 94°F vs 104°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $657,400
Higher rents — median is $2,184/mo
Higher unemployment (5.4% vs 3.5%)
Median income trails Gilbert by $9,645/yr
Key Differences at a Glance
Gilbert
Cost of Living
5% cheaper
COL index 102.5 vs 107.9 (100 = US avg)
Gilbert
Median Income
$9,645
$115,179 vs $105,534/yr
Gilbert
Violent Crime
55% lower
132.2 vs 293.7 per 100k
Gilbert
Median Home Value
$203k less
$454,300 vs $657,400
Gilbert
Unemployment
1.9 pp lower
3.5% vs 5.4% unemployment
Gilbert
Summer Heat
10.4°F warmer
July avg high 104.2°F vs 93.8°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Gilbert, AZ | Rancho Cucamonga, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 107.9⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $454,300⚠ High ✓ Lower | $657,400⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,839⚠ High ✓ Lower | $2,184⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $115,179 ✓ Higher | $105,534 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% ✓ Lower | 5.4%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 26.7 min ✓ Shorter | 33.0 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 20.5% ✓ Higher | 10.4% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 39 ✓ Safer | 81 |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 35 ✓ Safer | 77 |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 46 ✓ Safer | 86 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (110) ✓ Better | C+ (83) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.5:1 ✓ Smaller | 25.1:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 47.1% ✓ Higher | 37.0% |
| High School or Higher | 96.3% ✓ Higher | 91.8% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Gilbert Unified District (4239) | Alta Loma Elementary |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 65.6°F | 67.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 104.2°F ✓ Warmer | 93.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 8.8" ✓ Drier | 17.2" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 267,267 ✓ Larger | 174,696 |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 37.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.7% ✓ Higher | 63.3% |
| Under 18 | 29.4% ✓ More | 22.7% |
| Over 65 | 10.2% | 13.2% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Gilbert's cost of living index is 102.5 vs Rancho Cucamonga's 107.9 (US average = 100).
Gilbert is 5% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Gilbert leads 19 of 22 categories. Gilbert wins 19 and Rancho Cucamonga wins 3. 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 Rancho Cucamonga or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($454,300 vs $657,400 median home), income ($115,179 vs $105,534), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Gilbert, AZ and Rancho Cucamonga, CA are about 339 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.