Performance
Score Breakdown
Alexandria
Gaithersburg
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Alexandria is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
31% lower compared to Gaithersburg.
Housing costs are a major driver: Alexandria's average rent is
45% lower than Gaithersburg's.
| Metric | Alexandria | Gaithersburg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $974 | $1,784 | -45% |
| Groceries | $395 | $450 | -12% |
| Utilities | $226 | $180 | +26% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $277 | -21% |
| Monthly Total | $1,935 | $2,811 | -31% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 143 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Gaithersburg offers 46% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Gaithersburg delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Alexandria is estimated at
$38,952 vs $106,000 in Gaithersburg.
| Metric | Alexandria | Gaithersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $50,107 | $93,000 |
| Salary Needed | $38,952 | $106,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 54,464 idx | 65,035 idx |
| Household Income | $47,113 | $112,467 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Alexandria | Gaithersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 73.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Alexandria has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,000 minutes (100 hours) per year compared to Gaithersburg.
Gaithersburg scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Gaithersburg leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Alexandria | Gaithersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 29 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 50.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 60.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Gaithersburg is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Alexandria.
From a growth perspective, Gaithersburg is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Gaithersburg has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Alexandria | Gaithersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,060 | 70,684 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 0.60% |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 37.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 3.70% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Alexandria
Advantages
The overall cost of living in Alexandria is 8% lower than the national average, primarily due to significantly lower housing expenses.
Housing costs are 26% lower than the national average, with a median home price of $175,000 in May 2026.
The average commute time is relatively short at 17.4 minutes, contributing to a better work-life balance.
Alexandria is a regional healthcare hub with at least four major hospitals, and healthcare costs are 11% lower than the national average.
The city's economy is diverse, with a 3.32% job growth rate between 2023 and 2024.
Drawbacks
Alexandria has a very high violent crime rate, 671% above the national average, resulting in an 'F' safety grade.
The city's population is projected to decline by 1.3% annually, indicating a negative growth trend.
Summers are consistently hot, humid, and often described as oppressive.
A significant portion of the population, 27%, lives below the poverty line as of 2024.
The city exhibits high car dependency, with 77.7% of residents driving alone to work.
Gaithersburg
Advantages
Gaithersburg's median household income of $112,467 in 2024 is significantly higher than the national average, indicating strong economic opportunities.
The city's job market experienced a healthy growth rate of 1.67% from 2023 to 2024, reflecting a robust economy.
Gaithersburg offers a diverse and well-educated population, with 52.5% of residents aged 25+ holding a bachelor's degree or higher in 2024.
The crime rate in Gaithersburg is 26% lower than the national average, contributing to a sense of safety for residents.
Access to quality healthcare is strong, with major medical centers like Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center nearby, recognized for patient safety and quality.
Drawbacks
The overall cost of living in Gaithersburg is 43% higher than the national average, primarily due to high housing costs.
Housing costs are particularly elevated, with the average rent at $1,784 in 2026 and median home values around $496,500 in 2024.
Despite a lower overall crime rate, violent crime in Gaithersburg rose by 9.2% from the previous year in 2024.
The city exhibits medium car dependency, with over half of workers driving alone to work and public transit options varying in accessibility.
The median individual income of $53,359 in 2024 is considerably lower than the median household income, suggesting potential income disparity.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Alexandria
#97Louisiana, USA
55.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$974
Avg Salary
$50,107
Cost Index
92
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
50
Business
60
Gaithersburg
#21Maryland, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,784
Avg Salary
$93,000
Cost Index
143
Commute
29 min
Transit Score
45.0/10
Walkability
50.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.60%
Unemployment
3.70%
Livability
74
Business
70
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