Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Gilbert to Houston
The 2024 ACS 5-year estimates reveal Gilbert, AZ has a median household income of $122,551—nearly double Houston’s $64,813—yet its median home value is $575,100 versus Houston’s $277,800. Gilbert’s higher income supports greater housing affordability despite elevated costs, while its 27-minute commute is slightly better than Houston’s 30 minutes. Houston reports a 0.00% state income tax in the calculator’s simplified reference, but this is a model assumption, not a tax liability claim. Neither city’s data establishes safety, schools, or job quality.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Houston → GilbertMoving from Gilbert to Houston
Median Rent Impact
-$749/mo
Moving to Houston saves ~$8,988/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
0.0% difference
Neither state imposes an individual state income tax.
Daily Commute Difference
+3 min / day
Difference of ~25 hours per year spent commuting based on 2024 ACS midpoint averages.
Your move
Compare the life behind the offer.
Adjust the assumptions. Every result updates instantly.
Search all 32,330 U.S. Census places directly below.Instant results use official 2024 ACS place data. Places with incomplete required signals remain visible in search but cannot be selected.
Directional estimate using ACS citywide benchmarks. Verified profiles may include a simplified state-tax reference; automatically added profiles exclude state tax until an official reference is approved. Exact tax, benefits, debt, housing, insurance, and personal circumstances may materially change the result.
LIVE VERDICTGIL → HOU
68/ 100
Worth serious consideration
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$21,372after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Best gainMedian owner-occupied home value of $277,800.
Watch closelyA citywide median income of $64,813 paired with a 30-minute derived commute.
The short answer
In the uniform one-person renting baseline, Houston is about $8,988 lower per year. This is not a verdict by itself: replace city medians with the actual offer, address, household, benefits, insurance, and tax details before deciding.
Gilbert household income$122,551
Houston household income$64,813
Gilbert gross rent$2,110
Houston gross rent$1,361
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Gilbert | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 280,262 | 2,328,253 |
| Median household income | $122,551 | $64,813 |
| Median gross rent | $2,110 | $1,361 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $575,100 | $277,800 |
| State-tax treatment | Excluded | 0% simplified |
Time and daily routine
The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 27 minutes in Gilbert and 30 minutes in Houston. This citywide estimate cannot capture a specific route, remote-work schedule, or transit choice, so the calculator converts it into an explicit time difference instead of hiding it in a subjective lifestyle score.
Decision checklist
- Gilbert has higher median income
- Houston has lower home values
- Gilbert has slightly shorter commute
- Tax treatment is modeled, not actual
What each city wins
Gilbert
Rent-to-income ratio is approximately 20.6% based on citywide medians.. Watch higher home values may reflect long-term equity potential despite elevated monthly housing costs..
Houston
Median owner-occupied home value of $277,800.. Watch a citywide median income of $64,813 paired with a 30-minute derived commute..
Frequently asked questions
Which city offers better housing value relative to income?
Gilbert’s median income is 86% higher than Houston’s, while its median home value is 107% higher—indicating Houston offers a more favorable income-to-home-value ratio based on 2024 ACS data.
How do commute times compare between the two cities?
Gilbert’s derived one-way commute is 27 minutes, Houston’s is 30 minutes—both calculated from weighted midpoints in the 2024 ACS table B08303, making Gilbert’s commute slightly shorter on average.
Source boundary: Core figures come from the 2024 ACS five-year tables linked on each city profile. Commute is derived from B08303 midpoint weighting. A state-tax value without an approved official reference is excluded and disclosed. This comparison becomes index-eligible only after its unique analysis clears the content quality gate.