Gilbert 87 Exceptional
Gilbert Livability #1 ranked city in Arizona#240 ranked city in the USARanks better than 99% of areas
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Gilbert, AZ - The Heritage District

Gilbert, AZ, known as 'The Heritage District,' offers a unique blend of historic charm and modern urban amenities. Located in the southeastern part of the Phoenix metropolitan area, Gilbert is a large town that serves as a major cultural and economic hub. Major nearby cities like Mesa and Chandler enhance its status as a central point in the region. Gilbert's blend of historic landmarks, cultural festivals, and urban amenities creates a distinctive living experience.

Gilbert is home to several iconic landmarks, including the Gilbert Historical Museum, the historic Heritage District, and the scenic Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch. The town offers a variety of attractions, from the beautiful Freestone Park to the bustling SanTan Village, known for its shopping and dining. Gilbert's dining scene is diverse, offering everything from Southwestern cuisine to international dishes.

Annual events such as the Gilbert Days Parade and the Gilbert Outdoors Expo highlight the town's vibrant cultural scene and provide unique entertainment opportunities for residents and visitors. These events celebrate Gilbert's rich cultural heritage and community spirit. Prestigious institutions like Arizona State University Polytechnic Campus contribute to the town's academic and cultural vibrancy, fostering a thriving intellectual community.

The arts and culture scene in Gilbert is dynamic and diverse, with numerous theaters, music venues, and art galleries. The Hale Centre Theatre and the Gilbert Fine Arts Association are just a few of the cultural landmarks that showcase the town's commitment to the arts. Living in Gilbert provides ample opportunities to engage with art, music, and history, making it an exciting place to call home.

Gilbert’s community is welcoming and diverse, creating a friendly environment for newcomers. The town is home to professional sports teams like the Arizona Rattlers (IFL), providing plenty of excitement for sports fans. Major industries in Gilbert include healthcare, education, and technology, with significant employers such as Banner Health and Gilbert Public Schools driving economic growth. The town has extensive public transit options, including buses and bike-sharing programs, making commuting convenient for residents.

Pros and Cons of Living in Gilbert

PROS
  • Amenities Amenities

    The area boasts an ample array of local amenities, such as restaurants, entertainment options, grocery stores and parks, all conveniently located within walking distance.

  • Commute Commute

    A high commute score suggests convenient, easy access to public transportation, with shorter-than-average work commute times to work.

  • Crime Crime

    The crime rate is far lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. As such, it should be considered a very safe place to live when compared to other areas.

  • Employment Employment

    This area excels in the employment category with a score well above average, primarily due to the higher median home income, per capita income and low unemployment rates.

  • Housing Housing

    High scores in the housing category are attributed to this area, possibly pointing to a favorable home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

CONS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    The cost of living in this area is notably high, making it a more expensive place to live. You'll find higher expenses for everyday goods and services, housing and groceries.

What's it like Living in Gilbert?

Located in the state of Arizona, Gilbert is a big city with a population of 255,869 inhabitants. With a population density of 3,762 people per square mile, Gilbert is well above the nation's average density level. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (82% White). Given that fact, Gilbert could be considered less diverse than other cities. Long commute times to work can be incredibly frustrating, ranking just behind housework on the list of life's annoyances. If you opt to make Gilbert your home, your one-way commute time will typically last around 27 minutes, a duration that aligns with the national average commute time of 26 minutes.

Living in Gilbert can be a good experience for anyone moving to the city. Having said that, in the state of Arizona, there are many desirable places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. Finding the best places to live in Gilbert and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes amenities, commute, employment and other important metrics.

Using data and statistics Gilbert has received a livability score of 89/100. This score is ranked in the 99th percentile when compared to all other cities. Based on this score, Gilbert would be considered a very livable city! Gilbert is also ranked in the top 10 percentile of all cities across the USA. If we consider each of the categories individually, we see that Gilbert ranks well for crime (A+), education (A+) and housing (A+).

If you're considering living in Gilbert, it comes with numerous advantages, particularly in the form of an extensive selection of local amenities. These amenities play a pivotal role in elevating the quality of life within this vibrant community. From easily accessible grocery stores, to conveniently located fitness facilities, a diverse range of dining establishments and a multitude of shopping options, Gilbert provides a comprehensive array of resources for its residents. This ensures the effortless fulfillment of your daily needs and creates ample opportunities for relaxation and recreation. The convenience of these local offerings greatly contributes to the overall appeal of the area, making it an enticing destination for those in search of convenience, diversity, and a gratifying lifestyle. If you're contemplating a move, the abundance of local amenities could very well be a defining characteristic of this area. A few of the enjoyable things to experience and sights to see are: Hale Centre Theatre, Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch, and Gilbert Historical Museum.

Feeling a sense of safety in the area that you live in is a must for most people. Low crime rates can have a positive impact on things like home prices, home appreciation rates and can help foster positive community dynamics and social cohesion. Gilbert has a violent crime rate of 132 crimes per 100,000 residents which is far lower than the national average.

For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Gilbert apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.

Assuming that Gilbert meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Gilbert. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Gilbert are simply unattainable. The median home price for Gilbert homes is $622,117, which is 99.7% higher than the Arizona average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Gilbert, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 4.2, which is 2.4% higher than the Arizona average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Gilbert

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      Gilbert transportation information

      Statistic Gilbert Arizona National
      Average one way commute27min25min26min
      Workers who drive to work75.6%76.7%76.4%
      Workers who carpool8.7%10.9%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.5%2.0%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.3%1.0%0.6%
      Workers who walk0.9%2.0%2.8%
      Working from home12.3%5.7%4.6%
      Source: The Gilbert, AZ data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.