City Comparison

Gilbert vs Gresham

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Gilbert

Arizona
111
Above Average
$470,000
Median Home
$1,700/mo
Median Rent
$94,518
Median Income

Gresham

Oregon
128
Expensive
$459,000
Median Home
$1,450/mo
Median Rent
$69,600
Median Income

The Verdict

13.3%

The cost gap between these cities is 13.3%, with Gilbert being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Gilbert has equivalent purchasing power to $86,486 in Gresham.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
128
Gilbert
172
Gresham
Groceries
100
Gilbert
101
Gresham
Utilities
96
Gilbert
96
Gresham
Transportation
103
Gilbert
126
Gresham
Healthcare
95
Gilbert
103
Gresham

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Gilbert has the same purchasing power as $86,486 in Gresham.

Conversely, $75,000 in Gresham equals $65,039 in Gilbert.

Living in Gilbert vs Gresham

Housing Costs

Gilbert's housing index of 128 is lower Gresham's 172, translating to median home prices of $470,000 vs $459,000. The $11,000 difference in home prices means roughly $720 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,700/mo in Gilbert compared to $1,450/mo in Gresham, a monthly difference of $250.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 100 in Gilbert and 101 in Gresham. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Gilbert vs $480/month in Gresham. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 96 in Gilbert and 96 in Gresham. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in Gilbert vs $384 in Gresham. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 95 in Gilbert and 103 in Gresham. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $94,518 in Gilbert and $69,600 in Gresham. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $85,151 and $54,375 respectively. Gilbert residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,205/month to housing in Gilbert vs $1,624/month in Gresham. In Gilbert, median rent of $1,700/mo fits within this budget. In Gresham, median rent of $1,450/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 44 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Gilbert is 13.3% more affordable overall with an index of 111 vs 128.
A $75,000 salary in Gilbert has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $86,486 in Gresham, based on the cost of living difference.
Gilbert's housing index is 128 with median homes at $470,000, while Gresham's is 172 with median homes at $459,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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