Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Gilbert, AZ
VS
Richmond, VA
🏆 Gilbert leads 17 of 23 categories
Gilbert
Arizona
17
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$115,179 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
35 ✓ Safer
Population
267,267 ✓ Larger
Richmond
Virginia
6
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$59,606
Violent Crime Index
89
Population
227,171
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Gilbert, AZ
Pros
Households earn $55,573 more per year on average
61% less violent crime than Richmond
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.6 pts lower (3.5%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (132.2 vs 380/100k)
Milder winters — January highs near 66°F vs 48°F
More college-educated — 47.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,839/mo
Pricier housing — median home is $454,300
Hot summers — July highs average 104°F
Cost of living runs 5% higher than Richmond
Richmond, VA
Pros
Rent averages $612/mo less ($1,227 vs $1,839)
Homes cost $146k less ($308,300 vs $454,300)
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
Cooler summers — July highs near 90°F vs 104°F
Smaller class sizes — 11.9:1 student-teacher ratio
5% cheaper overall cost of living than Gilbert
Cons
Median income trails Gilbert by $55,573/yr
Property crime (3179.4/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (6.1% vs 3.5%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Gilbert
Median Income
$55,573
$115,179 vs $59,606/yr
Gilbert
Violent Crime
61% lower
132.2 vs 336.9 per 100k
Gilbert
Unemployment
2.6 pp lower
3.5% vs 6.1% unemployment
Gilbert
Summer Heat
14.7°F warmer
July avg high 104.2°F vs 89.5°F
Richmond
Cost of Living
5% cheaper
COL index 98.0 vs 102.5 (100 = US avg)
Richmond
Median Home Value
$146k less
$308,300 vs $454,300
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Gilbert, AZ | Richmond, VA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.5⚠ High | 98.0 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $454,300⚠ High | $308,300⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,839⚠ High | $1,227 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $115,179 ✓ Higher | $59,606 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% ✓ Lower | 6.1%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 26.7 min | 22.0 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 20.5% ✓ Higher | 14.3% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 39 ✓ Safer | 114⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 35 ✓ Safer | 89 |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 46 ✓ Safer | 151⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (110) ✓ Better | B+ (107) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.5:1 | 11.9:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 47.1% ✓ Higher | 44.1% |
| High School or Higher | 96.3% ✓ Higher | 88.8% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Gilbert Unified District (4239) | Richmond City Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 65.6°F ✓ Warmer | 47.8°F |
| Avg High — July | 104.2°F ✓ Warmer | 89.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 8.8" ✓ Drier | 47.1" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 8.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 267,267 ✓ Larger | 227,171 |
| Median Age | 35.4 ✓ Older | 34.5 |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.7% ✓ Higher | 43.2% |
| Under 18 | 29.4% ✓ More | 17.1% |
| Over 65 | 10.2% | 13.8% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Gilbert's cost of living index is 102.5 vs Richmond's 98.0 (US average = 100).
Richmond is 4% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Gilbert leads 17 of 23 categories. Gilbert wins 17 and Richmond 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 Richmond or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($454,300 vs $308,300 median home), income ($115,179 vs $59,606), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Gilbert, AZ and Richmond, VA are about 1,941 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.