Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Gilbert, AZ
VS
Sandy, UT
🏆 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
Sandy
Utah
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.2⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$108,165
Violent Crime Index
65
Population
95,635
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Gilbert, AZ
Pros
46% less violent crime than Sandy
Violent crime is well below the national average (132.2 vs 380/100k)
Milder winters — January highs near 66°F vs 38°F
Homes cost $38k less ($454,300 vs $492,300)
Households earn $7,014 more per year on average
Smaller class sizes — 16.5:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,839/mo
Hot summers — July highs average 104°F
Cost of living runs 2% higher than Sandy
Sandy, UT
Pros
Violent crime is well below the national average (246.7 vs 380/100k)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.3 pts lower (2.2%)
Rent averages $199/mo less ($1,640 vs $1,839)
Commutes run 3 min shorter each way
Cooler summers — July highs near 91°F vs 104°F
2% cheaper overall cost of living than Gilbert
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $492,300
Median income trails Gilbert by $7,014/yr
Snowy winters — about 82" of snow per year
Key Differences at a Glance
Gilbert
Median Income
$7,014
$115,179 vs $108,165/yr
Gilbert
Violent Crime
46% lower
132.2 vs 246.7 per 100k
Gilbert
Median Home Value
$38k less
$454,300 vs $492,300
Gilbert
Summer Heat
13.5°F warmer
July avg high 104.2°F vs 90.7°F
Sandy
Cost of Living
2% cheaper
COL index 100.2 vs 102.5 (100 = US avg)
Sandy
Unemployment
1.3 pp lower
2.2% vs 3.5% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Gilbert, AZ | Sandy, UT |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.5⚠ High | 100.2⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $454,300⚠ High ✓ Lower | $492,300⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,839⚠ High | $1,640⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $115,179 ✓ Higher | $108,165 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 2.2% ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 26.7 min | 23.4 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 20.5% ✓ Higher | 17.7% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 39 ✓ Safer | 69 |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 35 ✓ Safer | 65 |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 46 ✓ Safer | 76 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (110) ✓ Better | B (102) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.5:1 ✓ Smaller | 21.4:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 47.1% ✓ Higher | 44.5% |
| High School or Higher | 96.3% ✓ Higher | 95.4% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Gilbert Unified District (4239) | Canyons District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 65.6°F ✓ Warmer | 38.1°F |
| Avg High — July | 104.2°F ✓ Warmer | 90.7°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 8.8" ✓ Drier | 21.0" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 81.9" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 267,267 ✓ Larger | 95,635 |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 36.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.7% | 76.5% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 29.4% ✓ More | 25.8% |
| Over 65 | 10.2% | 14.8% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Gilbert's cost of living index is 102.5 vs Sandy's 100.2 (US average = 100).
Sandy is 2% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Gilbert leads 16 of 23 categories. Gilbert wins 16 and Sandy 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 Sandy or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($454,300 vs $492,300 median home), income ($115,179 vs $108,165), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Gilbert, AZ and Sandy, UT are about 502 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.