Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Gilbert, AZ
VS
Wichita Falls, TX
🏆 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
Wichita Falls
Texas
6
wins
Cost of Living Index
88.9 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$55,584
Violent Crime Index
92
Population
102,482
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Gilbert, AZ
Pros
Households earn $59,595 more per year on average
62% less violent crime than Wichita Falls
Violent crime is well below the national average (132.2 vs 380/100k)
More college-educated — 47.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.9 pts lower (3.5%)
Milder winters — January highs near 66°F vs 55°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $454,300
Higher rents — median is $1,839/mo
Cost of living runs 14% higher than Wichita Falls
Hot summers — July highs average 104°F
Wichita Falls, TX
Pros
Homes cost $326k less ($128,800 vs $454,300)
Rent averages $890/mo less ($949 vs $1,839)
Commutes run 12 min shorter each way
14% cheaper overall cost of living than Gilbert
Living costs sit below the national average (index 88.9)
Cooler summers — July highs near 97°F vs 104°F
Cons
Median income trails Gilbert by $59,595/yr
Property crime (2618.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (4.4% vs 3.5%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Gilbert
Median Income
$59,595
$115,179 vs $55,584/yr
Gilbert
Violent Crime
62% lower
132.2 vs 350.3 per 100k
Gilbert
Unemployment
0.9 pp lower
3.5% vs 4.4% unemployment
Gilbert
Summer Heat
7.0°F warmer
July avg high 104.2°F vs 97.2°F
Wichita Falls
Cost of Living
14% cheaper
COL index 88.9 vs 102.5 (100 = US avg)
Wichita Falls
Median Home Value
$326k less
$128,800 vs $454,300
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Gilbert, AZ | Wichita Falls, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.5⚠ High | 88.9 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $454,300⚠ High | $128,800 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,839⚠ High | $949 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $115,179 ✓ Higher | $55,584 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% ✓ Lower | 4.4%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 26.7 min | 14.4 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 20.5% ✓ Higher | 6.5% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 39 ✓ Safer | 105⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 35 ✓ Safer | 92 |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 46 ✓ Safer | 125⚠ 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 | 15.1:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 47.1% ✓ Higher | 24.2% |
| High School or Higher | 96.3% ✓ Higher | 86.7% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Gilbert Unified District (4239) | WICHITA FALLS ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 65.6°F ✓ Warmer | 54.7°F |
| Avg High — July | 104.2°F ✓ Warmer | 97.2°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 8.8" ✓ Drier | 27.9" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 3.1" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 267,267 ✓ Larger | 102,482 |
| Median Age | 35.4 ✓ Older | 32.8 |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.7% ✓ Higher | 56.3% |
| Under 18 | 29.4% ✓ More | 22.8% |
| Over 65 | 10.2% | 14.0% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Gilbert's cost of living index is 102.5 vs Wichita Falls's 88.9 (US average = 100).
Wichita Falls is 14% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Gilbert leads 17 of 23 categories. Gilbert wins 17 and Wichita Falls 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 Wichita Falls or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($454,300 vs $128,800 median home), income ($115,179 vs $55,584), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Gilbert, AZ and Wichita Falls, TX are about 761 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.