Arlington vs Gilbert
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Arlington
Gilbert
The Verdict
Living in Gilbert costs 47.7% less than Arlington. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Arlington, you would need $50,762 in Gilbert.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Arlington has the same purchasing power as $50,762 in Gilbert.
Conversely, $75,000 in Gilbert equals $110,811 in Arlington.
Living in Arlington vs Gilbert
Housing Costs
Arlington's housing index of 249 is higher Gilbert's 128, translating to median home prices of $740,000 vs $470,000. The $270,000 difference in home prices means roughly $17,556 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,350/mo in Arlington compared to $1,700/mo in Gilbert, a monthly difference of $650.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 106 in Arlington and 100 in Gilbert. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Arlington vs $475/month in Gilbert. Gilbert offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $348/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Arlington and 96 in Gilbert. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Arlington vs $384 in Gilbert. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 117 in Arlington and 95 in Gilbert. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 22-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $145,000 in Arlington and $94,518 in Gilbert. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $88,415 and $85,151 respectively. Arlington residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $3,383/month to housing in Arlington vs $2,205/month in Gilbert. In Arlington, median rent of $2,350/mo fits within this budget. In Gilbert, median rent of $1,700/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 121 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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