Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Gilbert to Los Angeles
Based on 2024 ACS 5-year data, Gilbert, AZ has a higher median household income ($122,551) and lower median gross rent ($2,110) compared to Los Angeles, CA ($81,939 income, $1,933 rent), though LA’s rent is only slightly lower despite significantly lower incomes. Gilbert’s median home value is $575,100 versus LA’s $921,200, reflecting greater home affordability relative to income. Commute times are 27 minutes in Gilbert and 33 minutes in LA, favoring Gilbert. LA applies a modeled 9.30% state income tax in the calculator, while Gilbert’s state tax is excluded per data boundaries. These factors create a trade-off: Gilbert offers stronger income-to-housing alignment and shorter commutes, while LA has marginally lower rent but much lower income and higher home prices, with tax modeled as a cost.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Los Angeles → GilbertMoving from Gilbert to Los Angeles
Median Rent Impact
-$177/mo
Moving to Los Angeles saves ~$2,124/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+9.3%
~$9,300 more state tax on a $100k salary in California.
Daily Commute Difference
+6 min / day
Difference of ~50 hours per year spent commuting based on 2024 ACS midpoint averages.
Your move
Compare the life behind the offer.
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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 → LAX
48/ 100
The offer needs work
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$4,092after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Best gainA large labor market with a household-income benchmark above New York's
Watch closelyA $921,200 ownership benchmark and a conservative marginal California tax reference
The short answer
In the uniform one-person renting baseline, Los Angeles is about $2,124 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
Los Angeles household income$81,939
Gilbert gross rent$2,110
Los Angeles gross rent$1,933
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Gilbert | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 280,262 | 3,857,263 |
| Median household income | $122,551 | $81,939 |
| Median gross rent | $2,110 | $1,933 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $575,100 | $921,200 |
| State-tax treatment | Excluded | 9.3% simplified |
Time and daily routine
The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 27 minutes in Gilbert and 33 minutes in Los Angeles. 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
- Median household income
- Median gross rent
- Median owner-occupied home value
- One-way commute time
- State individual income tax treatment
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..
Los Angeles
A large labor market with a household-income benchmark above New York's. Watch a $921,200 ownership benchmark and a conservative marginal california tax reference.
Frequently asked questions
How does housing affordability compare between Gilbert and Los Angeles based on income and rent?
Gilbert has a higher median income ($122,551 vs $81,939) and slightly higher median rent ($2,110 vs $1,933), resulting in a more favorable income-to-rent ratio. Rent consumes about 20.6% of income in Gilbert versus 28.3% in LA, making housing more affordable relative to earnings in Gilbert.
What trade-off exists between home values and commute times in these two cities?
Gilbert has lower median home values ($575,100 vs $921,200) and shorter commutes (27 vs 33 minutes), offering advantages in both home affordability and travel time. LA’s higher home values reflect its urban market, while longer commutes may offset some location benefits despite lower nominal rent.
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.