Gilbert, AZ vs Surprise, AZ

Surprise is moderately more affordable than Gilbert, with a 10.5% lower cost of living index. Gilbert scores 141 compared to 127 for Surprise, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Gilbert can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Gilbert is $2,028/month compared to $1,917/month in Surprise — a 6% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Surprise is more affordable at $396,000 median vs $518,600.

Median household income in Gilbert is $121,351 compared to $93,371 in Surprise (+30%). While Gilbert is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Gilbert spend roughly 20.1% of their income on rent, less than the 24.6% in Surprise.