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Tucson vs Gilbert: Full Comparison

Updated November 2026 · Cost of living, safety, and climate data

Quick Answer

Gilbert is 14% more expensive than Tucson. Gilbert is 41% safer. Tucson population: 548,371. Gilbert population: 287,285.

Which city is better for you?

Cost of LivingTucson
SafetyGilbert
HousingTucson

Based on cost of living indices, FBI crime data, and NOAA climate records.

Cost of Living: Tucson vs Gilbert

Tucson is more affordable overall, with a cost of living index of 95 vs 108 (national average = 100). That's a difference of 13 index points.

CategoryTucsonGilbert
Overall Index95108
Housing$1,869/moIndex: 105$2,492/moIndex: 140
Groceries$402/moIndex: 98$410/moIndex: 100
Transportation$350/moIndex: 100$354/moIndex: 101
Healthcare$314/moIndex: 98$320/moIndex: 100
Utilities$224/moIndex: 102$227/moIndex: 103

Index 100 = national average. Dollar amounts are estimated monthly costs. Sources: BEA Regional Price Parities, C2ER Cost of Living Index.

Safety: Tucson vs Gilbert

Gilbert is 41% safer overall, with a crime rate of 12.8 per 1,000 residents vs Tucson's 21.8. Gilbert earns a B+ safety grade compared to Tucson's B-. Based on 2023 FBI data.

B-

Tucson

Arizona

Overall GradeB-
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeB-
Crime Rate21.8/1K
TrendDeclining
B+

Gilbert

Arizona

Overall GradeB+
Violent CrimeB+
Property CrimeB+
Crime Rate12.8/1K
TrendStable
MetricTucsonGilbert
Overall Crime Rate21.8/1K12.8/1K
Violent Crime Rate389.580.0
Property Crime Rate1787.41200.0
Murder Rate4.71.4
Assault Rate252.464.9
Robbery Rate80.510.1
Burglary Rate311.0178.1
Theft Rate1496.8874.7
Vehicle Theft Rate404.3181.6

Crime rates per 100,000 residents. 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data. Lower rates are better (safer).

Victim Odds

In Tucson, you have a 1 in 46 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 78 in Gilbert.

Climate Comparison

Climate data is only available for Tucson. A full comparison requires both cities.

Tucson Climate Overview

Annual High83.4°F
Annual Low55.3°F
Annual Rain11.2"
Annual SnowNone
Comfortable Months5
Best MonthApril
Worst MonthDecember
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
ComfortableWarmHot

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Tucson cheaper than Gilbert?
Tucson is 14% more affordable than Gilbert, with a cost of living index of 95 vs 108 (100 = national average). Housing is the biggest difference, at $1,869/mo in Tucson vs $2,492/mo in Gilbert.
Is Tucson safer than Gilbert?
Gilbert is 41% safer overall, with a crime rate of 12.8 per 1,000 residents vs Tucson's 21.8. Gilbert earns a B+ safety grade. Based on 2023 FBI data.
Should I move to Tucson or Gilbert?
It depends on your priorities. Gilbert is safer (B+ grade). Tucson is more affordable (index 95 vs 108). Tucson has a population of 548,371 and Gilbert has 287,285. Consider job market, culture, and proximity to family alongside these data points.
How big is Tucson compared to Gilbert?
Tucson has a population of 548,371 and Gilbert has 287,285. Tucson is 91% larger by population.
Is housing cheaper in Tucson or Gilbert?
Housing is cheaper in Tucson. Estimated monthly housing costs: Tucson $1,869/mo vs Gilbert $2,492/mo. That's based on a housing index of 105 vs 140 (100 = national average of $1,780/mo).

Learn More About Each City

B-
Tucson Safety ReportFull crime breakdown and trends
B+
Gilbert Safety ReportFull crime breakdown and trends
Salary CalculatorClimate Compare ToolSafety Comparison Tool

Safety data: 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report. Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities and C2ER Cost of Living Index. Climate: NOAA 30-year normals. Not a substitute for local guidance.

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