Gilbert, AZ Homes For Rent

Homes for Rent in Gilbert, AZ: What You Need to Know

Gilbert is a suburb of Phoenix, Arizona, with a significant Mormon population. A Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints temple, which opened in 2014, is the tallest building in Gilbert. 

Job Opportunities

The town benefits from being part of the Phoenix metropolitan area, which attracts many companies for its business-friendly environment and a talent pipeline from Arizona State University and other institutions of higher education in the area. Top employers in Gilbert itself include Go Daddy Software Inc., BH Drywall Stucco Painting (construction), Dignity Health, Banner Health, Isagenix International (business services), and Hunter Contracting Co. (construction).

Local Population

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints settled in the area as far back as the 1860s and 1870s. Most of them attended congregations in neighboring Mesa and Chandler. The Gilbert congregation was organized in 1918. In 2014, Mormons in Gilbert finally got their own temple, a sprawling 85,000-square-foot building. While the U.S. Census Bureau doesn’t track religious affiliations of residents, locals estimate that Mormons represent about 12% of Gilbert’s population of 254,114.

Local History

When the Arizona Eastern Railway built a rail line in the area, it chose property owned by William "Bobby" Gilbert for the site of a rail siding. The town that grew near the siding was called Gilbert. It was incorporated in 1920. The town was a farming community dubbed Hay Capital of the World until the late 1920s. Gilbert’s transition from an agricultural to a suburban town took place in earnest in the 1970s after it annexed 53 square miles of Maricopa County land. The town council envisioned Gilbert to eventually grow like Phoenix suburbs Mesa, Tempe, and Chandler.

Cost of Living

Gilbert’s cost of living rate is 4.9% higher than the national average, which is comparable to Phoenix. At least, food and transportation costs are 42.8% and 37.2% lower than the national average respectively. The median gross rent in Gilbert is $1,518. Also, the Grand Canyon State income tax rate of 2.59% to 4.50% is considered low. Arizona’s sales tax rate ranges from 5.60% to 11.20%.

Know Your Neighborhoods

Residents rave about Gilbert’s safety, good schools, and welcoming ambiance. Only 10 miles from Phoenix, Gilbert is growing rapidly, with a lot of new housing development. Nearby Chandler gets kudos for its excellent amenities and superb schools. Other Phoenix suburbs known for their above-average schools include Paradise Valley and Fountain Hills.