| Index | Gilbert | Arizona | National |
| Cost of living | 128 | 101 | 100 |
| Groceries | 103 | 101 | 100 |
| Health care | 103 | 101 | 100 |
| Housing | 183 | 96 | 100 |
| Transportation | 106 | 102 | 100 |
| Utilities | 113 | 111 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 108 | 103 | 100 |
| Household Items | 103 | 101 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 100 | 103 | 100 |

The cost of living in Gilbert affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Gilbert is 128, which is 28% higher than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.
The cost of living in Gilbert is among the highest in the country, making it a very expensive place to live. Only a small fraction of regions boast a cost of living that is at least 20% higher than the national average, and regrettably, Gilbert falls into this category, which may not be suitable for those seeking an economically favorable living environment.
Housing costs are a major factor in the Gilbert cost of living index, and they often eat up a big chunk of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, housing expenses for both homeownership and rentals were 83.4% higher than what's typical in an average city. That includes the prices of homes and rents, as well as mortgage rates and insurance.
The real experts on a city are its residents. That's why we reached out to 37 locals to get their views on the cost of living in Gilbert. We surveyed the residents and asked them if they felt like prices were affordable or out of reach. The results were as follows. 51% found it budget-friendly with decreasing prices, while 49% said it's simply not affordable as prices have continued to rise.
Is Gilbert affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Gilbert, the median home price is 90.5% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 66.8% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Gilbert boasting a median household income of $149,302, 83.6% higher than the national average.
Subsidies: Some areas might offer government subsidies or assistance programs that help lower cost of living for residents. These programs can include anything from Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and crop subsidies. Areas that offer less subsidies, could see an increase in their cost of living.
Taxes: Regions that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an increased cost of living. Higher taxes for everyday necessities such as clothing, utilities and food inevitably leads to higher expenditures. Additionally, a higher income tax rate can also play a role in elevating the overall cost of living. In Gilbert, the prevailing sales tax rate starts at 5.6%, and income tax rates kick off at 2.5%.
Transportation: When public transportation options are limited or non-existent, residents frequently resort to vehicle ownership, which can significantly contribute to the overall cost of living. Monthly financial obligations encompass fuel, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or financing expenses. In Gilbert, the transportation index is 5.8% higher than the national average.
The cost of living data for Gilbert shown above is based on a U.S. average baseline score of 100, making it easier to compare how far your dollar may go from one city to another. Housing uses U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all remaining values are AI-assisted estimates informed by regional pricing, climate, transportation dynamics, and local economic factors. These scores are best used for directional comparisons between cities.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $171,353 | $14,279 | $3,998 | $5,141 |
| Renters | $97,660 | $8,138 | $2,279 | $2,930 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Arizona | 5.6% | 10.725% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Arizona | 2.5% | 2.5% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Wet Camp Village, AZ | 119 | 105 | 4.9% |
| Stotonic Village, AZ | 439 | 89 | 10.5% |
| Apache Junction, AZ | 43,334 | 93 | 7.1% |
| Guadalupe, AZ | 6,820 | 97 | 3.5% |
| Lower Santan Village, AZ | 113 | 96 | 3.5% |
| Gilbert, AZ | 255,869 | 128 | 28.4% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Glendale, AZ | 255,914 | 109 | 9.4% |
| North Las Vegas, NV | 256,144 | 114 | 13.7% |
| Winston-Salem, NC | 255,400 | 94 | 5.7% |
| Reno, NV | 258,532 | 126 | 25.7% |
| Burnaby, BC | 258,827 | n/a | |
| Gilbert, AZ | 255,869 | 128 | 28.4% |