Morgan Hill Vs Gilroy: Choosing Your South County Home

Trying to choose between Morgan Hill and Gilroy for your next home? You are not alone. Both South County cities offer space, value, and a practical commute to Silicon Valley, but the day-to-day feel and price points are different. In this guide, you will see how prices, commute options, schools, parks, and lifestyle stack up so you can decide what fits your budget and routine. Let’s dive in.

Price snapshot: what you can expect

Morgan Hill typically sells at a modest premium compared to Gilroy. Recent snapshots show Morgan Hill around the low to mid 1.2 million range for typical resale medians, while Gilroy trends closer to the low 1.0 millions. Some neighborhoods in each city trade above or below these ranges, so your final price depends on location, size, and condition.

For first-time buyers, Gilroy often offers more entry-level single-family options, with smaller or older homes that may land under the million mark depending on the area. In Morgan Hill, starter homes more commonly begin closer to the 900 thousand to 1.3 million range, again depending on the property and neighborhood.

Bottom line: both markets are within Santa Clara County and draw from the same broader buyer pool, yet Morgan Hill tends to keep a pricing premium. Inventory and days on market change month to month, so use current MLS data when you are ready to look.

Neighborhoods and home styles

Morgan Hill at a glance

You will find a mix of older downtown bungalows, good-sized 1970s to 1990s suburban tracts, and select gated or estate settings with larger lots near the CordeValle area. Vineyard-adjacent homes and rural pockets around Uvas Valley give parts of Morgan Hill a wine-country feel. Local tasting rooms and wineries sit within short drives, which is a lifestyle draw if you enjoy a slower weekend pace.

Gilroy at a glance

Gilroy shows its agricultural roots downtown with Craftsman and ranch-style bungalows, while master-planned communities like Eagle Ridge and Glen Loma Ranch offer modern-traditional tract homes and some gated options. Compared with many Santa Clara County cities, Gilroy often delivers larger single-family homes at a lower initial cost. On the city edges, you will see more new suburban product than in the historic core.

Commute and transit: daily reality

Average one-way commute times are similar in both cities. Recent federal estimates place Morgan Hill near 34 to 35 minutes and Gilroy near 33 minutes on average. Many residents drive on US 101, and real-world times vary by employer location and peak congestion.

If you rely on transit, here is what to know:

• Caltrain South County Connector: Caltrain serves Gilroy, San Martin, and Morgan Hill on a limited, weekday peak schedule. Riders connect at San Jose Diridon to electric Caltrain service for the rest of the Peninsula. The schedule is useful for standard work hours, but it is not frequent during off-peak times. Learn more from the official South County Connector page on Caltrain.
• VTA buses: VTA’s Rapid 568 offers faster trips between Gilroy, Morgan Hill, and San Jose Diridon with about 30-minute weekday frequencies. The local 68 also connects the corridor. For many commuters, the bus network provides more flexible options than the peak-only train. See VTA’s overview of Rapid 568 here.

Practical tip: If you work late or keep variable hours, living near reliable VTA 568 or 68 stops can be a big plus. If you work a classic 9 to 5, Caltrain’s South County schedule may fit well for the inbound and outbound legs.

A quick road project note: US 101 improvements and the Route 25 interchange upgrades near Gilroy aim to ease bottlenecks over time. Construction may affect timing, so keep an eye on updates from CA Highways.

Lifestyle, schools, and weekend fun

Outdoors and wine country

Morgan Hill leans into open space, lakes, and wineries. You will have easy access to Anderson Lake County Park and the nearby trails and picnic areas at Uvas Canyon County Park. If tastings and local events are your thing, a long-standing favorite is Guglielmo Winery’s tasting room.

Gilroy shines for family attractions and shopping. Gilroy Gardens is a regional favorite for kids and seasonal events. The Gilroy Premium Outlets and local shopping draw weekend crowds, and downtown dining continues to grow.

Annual events also shape local life. The Gilroy Garlic Festival returned in 2025 on a smaller scale hosted at Gilroy Gardens. You can read more in local coverage from the Gilroy Dispatch.

Schools overview

Morgan Hill Unified includes Live Oak High School and Ann Sobrato High School. Families often look closely at specific school boundaries and programs when choosing a neighborhood. You can review an overview of programs directly with district resources such as Ann Sobrato High School.

Gilroy Unified includes Gilroy High and Christopher High, along with charter and alternative options. Performance and programs vary by campus. A neutral, practical approach is to review district pages and the California School Dashboard, then verify current boundaries before you write any offers. For general background, you can read about Christopher High here.

Note: School ratings and boundaries can change. Always confirm directly with the district for the most current information.

Safety context

Multi-year, FBI-derived summaries show Morgan Hill reporting lower violent and property crime rates than national averages and lower than Gilroy’s citywide figures in the same window. These are high-level snapshots. Crime varies by neighborhood and block, so check local police logs and mapping tools for any area you are considering. A city summary for Morgan Hill is available on CrimeExplorer.

Ongoing costs and what to budget

Property taxes in California start with a 1 percent base rate on assessed value under Proposition 13. Your actual bill typically includes voter-approved bonds, parcel taxes, and special assessments that bring the total above 1 percent. Some neighborhoods also have Mello-Roos or HOA dues. The Legislative Analyst’s Office explains these pieces in plain language here.

Insurance and hazard checks matter as well. If you are looking at hillside or rural properties, review wildfire hazard zones and insureability. If you plan to buy near creeks or lowlands, confirm flood zones and any lender requirements. County hazard maps, CAL FIRE Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps, and FEMA flood maps are helpful tools.

Who tends to choose each city

Morgan Hill may be a fit if you want

• A wine-country feel and quick access to county parks and trails.
• Larger lots or select estate neighborhoods near areas like CordeValle.
• A quiet, suburban pace with a modest pricing premium within South County.
• A peak-hour rail option to San Jose combined with VTA bus flexibility.

Gilroy may be a fit if you want

• More entry-level single-family options and larger homes per dollar.
• Family attractions like Gilroy Gardens and significant outlet shopping.
• A mix of historic downtown homes and newer master-planned communities.
• Frequent VTA bus access to San Jose with Rapid 568 and local Route 68.

A simple 5-step decision checklist

Use this to narrow your choice quickly:

1. Set a realistic budget and monthly payment target. Include taxes, insurance, and any HOA or Mello-Roos.
2. Map your weekday routine. If you need flexible hours, target homes near VTA 568 or 68 stops. If you work 9 to 5, check Caltrain’s South County schedule and connection times.
3. Define your weekend priorities. Wine tasting and hiking point to Morgan Hill. Outlets, theme park days, and growing downtown dining point to Gilroy.
4. Shortlist neighborhoods by lot size and home age. Older bungalows and mid-century tracts feel different than newer master-planned areas.
5. Verify schools and boundaries for any address you love, then run a property tax and hazard assessment before you write.

Ready to compare live listings, commute options, and school boundaries for your short list? Reach out to Louis Ponce for local, bilingual guidance and a step-by-step plan from search to closing.

FAQs

Is Morgan Hill or Gilroy cheaper for homebuyers in 2026?

• Recent snapshots show Morgan Hill medians in the low to mid 1.2 million range and Gilroy closer to the low 1.0 millions. Neighborhoods vary, so confirm current MLS data before you tour.

How reliable is South County transit for a 9 to 5 commute?

• Caltrain’s South County Connector runs limited weekday peak trips, with transfers at San Jose Diridon. VTA’s Rapid 568 runs about every 30 minutes on weekdays and often provides more flexibility for varied schedules. Check details on Caltrain and VTA.

What neighborhoods in Gilroy and Morgan Hill suit different lifestyles?

• Morgan Hill offers older downtown bungalows, 1970s to 1990s tracts, and select estate settings near CordeValle. Gilroy has historic downtown pockets, plus master-planned options like Eagle Ridge and Glen Loma Ranch. Match your choice to lot size, home age, and HOA preferences.

How should I evaluate schools in Morgan Hill and Gilroy before buying?

• Review district resources and confirm boundaries for each address, then compare programs and recent metrics. For examples, see Ann Sobrato High School and general background on Christopher High School. Always verify details directly with the districts.

What extra costs should I plan for beyond my mortgage?

• Budget for property taxes that exceed the 1 percent base due to bonds and assessments, plus possible Mello-Roos, HOA dues, and insurance. The LAO’s property tax primer is a good overview: California property tax basics.

How do crime rates compare between Morgan Hill and Gilroy?

• Multi-year summaries show Morgan Hill’s reported rates lower than national averages and lower than Gilroy’s figures overall. These are citywide indicators. Review neighborhood-level data and local police resources for any address. See a Morgan Hill overview on CrimeExplorer.