Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Gilbert and Plano have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
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Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Gilbert has a housing index of 128 while Plano sits at 123 (national average = 100). The median home in Gilbert costs $470,000 compared to $400,000 in Plano, a difference of $70,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,700 in Gilbert versus $1,700 in Plano.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Gilbert scores 100 while Plano scores 98. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Gilbert (95) are lower than Plano (100). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Gilbert is $94,518 compared to $96,348 in Plano. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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