Downtown Gilbert's Heritage District stands as the cultural heart of this southeastern Phoenix suburb, featuring local shops, the weekly Gilbert Farmers Market, and acclaimed restaurants like Joe's Real BBQ housed in a historic 1929 brick building. The Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch provides 110 acres of wildlife viewing and walking trails, while Freestone District Park includes a train, amusement rides, and sports fields. Gilbert Regional Park adds 17 acres of lake activities with paddle boats and a climbing wall.
Single family homes make up most of Gilbert's housing stock, with a median price of $610,000. The Agritopia neighborhood commands the highest median single family home prices at $1,150,000, while Downtown Gilbert offers more affordable options with a median of $547,300. Townhomes throughout Gilbert have a median price of $430,000, and condos range from $232,500 for one bedroom to $320,000 for two bedrooms.
Gilbert's cost of living runs 12.5% above the national average. A family with school-age children needs approximately $118,000 annually to live comfortably, with housing costs averaging $37,000 per year. The property tax rate sits at 0.47%, matching neighboring Mesa, Chandler, and Tempe. The combined sales tax rate totals 8.41%.
The public school system includes highly rated institutions like Campo Verde High School serving multiple neighborhoods including East Gilbert and San Tan Village. Private options include the A+ rated New Vistas Center for Education in The Islands neighborhood. With 330 days of annual sunshine, temperatures reach above 100°F in summer while winter stays mild between the mid-40s and low 70s°F.
