Moving from Mesa, AZ to Gilbert, AZ
It is a short 8.0 mi hop from Mesa, AZ to Gilbert, AZ β roughly 15 min behind the wheel. Even at local distance, household costs and housing values can diverge more than the mileage suggests. Below you will find a direct comparison on BEA cost-of-living, Zillow home values, Census demographics, BLS wages, and NOAA climate.
8.0 mi Β· 15 min by car Β· AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | AZ 202 LOOP |
| Major cities en route | Scottsdale, Phoenix, Glendale, Tempe, Chandler |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Mesa | Gilbert | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.316 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.332 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.024 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 121.236 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Mesa and Gilbert sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $435,134 in Mesa to $572,507 in Gilbert, a 0.0% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Mesa -1.8%, Gilbert -1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Mesa | Gilbert |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 72Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 41Β°F | 41Β°F |
| July avg high | 106Β°F | 104Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 10.8" | β |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 72.3Β°F vs 71.4Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: E MESA, AZ US, CHANDLER HEIGHTS, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Mesa | Gilbert |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 507,478 | 271,118 |
| Median household income | $78,779 | $121,351 |
| Median age | 37.2 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.9% | 30.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.59 | 2.96 |
Gilbert households earn about 0.0% more than Mesa at the median β $78,779 β $121,351 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Gilbert MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 314,170 | $45,080 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 205,010 | $34,400 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 204,700 | $37,700 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 199,140 | $40,870 |
| Management Occupations | 170,690 | $105,420 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Gilbert average 104Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Gilbert compare to Mesa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Gilbert MSA vs $48,600 in the Mesa MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 2,289,130 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Gilbert compared to Mesa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $572,507 in Gilbert vs $435,134 in Mesa β a 31.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Mesa to Gilbert?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 8.0 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Gilbert, AZ from Mesa, AZ?
The driving distance is 8.0 mi and the route typically takes 15 min via AZ 202 LOOP. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Mesa vs Gilbert?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $121,351 in Gilbert vs $78,779 in Mesa β a 54.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Mesa.
City profiles: Mesa, AZ Β· Gilbert, AZ.