Gilbert is a large East Valley town right next to Chandler, and it ranks well nationally. It came in at No. 57 on U.S. News & World Report's 2026-2027 Best Places to Live list, with Chandler at No. 78. Gilbert generally has a more residential feel, while Chandler has a bigger tech employer presence and a larger downtown. Prices for similar homes are often comparable, so the decision usually comes down to the specific neighborhood, the commute and the HOA.
Gilbert, bordering Chandler to the north and east, consistently ranks among the top places to live in Arizona, and for buyers weighing it against Chandler, the two share many strengths with some real differences worth understanding.
Here's something a lot of people moving here don't know. Gilbert is still legally a town, not a city, even with more than 270,000 residents. You'll see "Town of Gilbert" on everything from your water bill to the permit office.
How Gilbert ranks, and where the rankings come from
People say Gilbert is always on the best places lists. They're right, and it's been that way for years. Here's the record, with the sources so you can read them yourself:
| Ranking | Year | Result |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. News & World Report, Best Places to Live | 2026-2027 | No. 57 in the U.S., up from No. 94 the year before. Chandler came in at No. 78 |
| Livability, Best City to Live in the U.S. | 2025 | No. 11 in the U.S. |
| Ranking Arizona, Place to Live in Arizona | 2022 | No. 1 in Arizona |
| Money, Best Places to Live | 2020-2021 | No. 46 in the U.S., and the only Arizona city on the list |
Each list weighs different things, like jobs, cost of living and amenities, so read how a ranking was built before you lean on it. And remember that a ranking describes a whole town, not the street you're about to buy on.
Gilbert vs. Chandler: the honest comparison
Both cities offer master planned communities, plenty of parks and trails, and access to the broader East Valley job market. Gilbert tends to have a slightly more suburban, residential feel in many areas, while Chandler has a stronger tech employer presence and a more developed downtown core. Neither is objectively "better", it depends on your priorities.
| Gilbert | Chandler | |
|---|---|---|
| Local government | Town of Gilbert | City of Chandler |
| Downtown | Heritage District | Downtown Chandler |
| Main freeways | Loop 202 Santan through the middle, US 60 along the north edge | Loop 101, Loop 202 Santan, and I-10 along the west edge |
| Ask about | Electric provider, SRP or APS, and twelve months of bills | Electric provider, SRP or APS, and twelve months of bills |
Popular Gilbert areas worth knowing
Gilbert includes well known pockets like Val Vista Lakes, Layton Lakes, and the Heritage District downtown area, each with a distinct character, from lake community amenities to a walkable historic core with dining and events.
The older lake communities tend to have more established homes and mature trees. The south and east sides of town have more newer construction. Neither is better. They're just different, and the age of the home changes what you should budget for and inspect.
Checking schools for a Gilbert address
Gilbert is served by more than one school district, so the town name on an address doesn't tell you which schools a home is assigned to. Ask the district to confirm the boundary for the specific property, since boundaries can shift block by block.
Then, if schools matter to you, look those exact schools up on the state's Arizona School Report Cards site. The Arizona Department of Education publishes each public school's A through F letter grade there, along with enrollment and other data. You're looking at the facts and making your own call. I'll help you confirm which schools serve any property you're considering.
Commute considerations
Gilbert's location provides reasonable access to the 202 and the broader East Valley, though specific commute times vary significantly depending on which part of Gilbert you're in relative to your workplace.
Drive it at the hours you'd actually be on the road, on a weekday, in both directions. Ten miles in the East Valley can be fifteen minutes or forty five depending on the corridor and the time of day.
Pricing compared to Chandler
Pricing between Gilbert and Chandler is often comparable for similar home types and ages, though specific neighborhoods in either city can run higher or lower depending on amenities, lot size, and lake or golf access.
When I compare the two for you, I compare like to like. Single story against single story, two story against two story, similar age, similar lot. HOA dues go into the comparison too, because a lower price with higher dues isn't always the better deal.
What to check before you buy in Gilbert
1 - The HOA documents. CC&Rs, rules, dues, budget, reserve study and recent meeting minutes.
2 - The electric provider and twelve months of actual bills, so the summer doesn't surprise you.
3 - What's planned nearby. The Town of Gilbert's planning department publishes zoning and development information, so check the vacant land near the home.
4 - Flood zone status, free by address on FEMA's flood map service.
5 - Permit history on any additions or remodels.
I go through each of these in more detail in Questions to ask before choosing a Phoenix area neighborhood.
The bottom line
Whether Gilbert or Chandler ends up being the right fit, I know both markets well and can help you compare honestly, not just push you toward one.
Reach out to my team and I today.
Questions, answered.
Is Gilbert more expensive than Chandler?
It varies significantly by specific neighborhood in both cities, I'll pull direct comps so you can compare apples to apples for the type of home you want.
How do I compare schools in Gilbert and Chandler?
Look up the specific schools for each address on azreportcards.azed.gov, the state's Arizona School Report Cards site, which shows A through F letter grades and other data. I'll help you confirm which schools serve any property, and you decide what matters most to you.
Should I look at both Gilbert and Chandler in my search?
Often yes, since they border each other and share many of the same commute and lifestyle advantages, casting a slightly wider net between the two can open up more options at your price point.
Is Gilbert a city or a town?
Gilbert is legally a town, the Town of Gilbert, even though it has more than 270,000 residents. It works much like a city for buyers, with its own water, planning and permit departments.
Is Gilbert ranked as one of the best places to live?
Yes, and consistently. U.S. News & World Report ranked Gilbert No. 57 nationally on its 2026-2027 Best Places to Live list, and it has appeared on lists from Livability, Ranking Arizona and Money in earlier years.
Want to talk it through?
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