Performance
Score Breakdown
Amherst
Gaithersburg
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Amherst is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
26% lower compared to Gaithersburg.
Housing costs are a major driver: Amherst's average rent is
41% lower than Gaithersburg's.
| Metric | Amherst | Gaithersburg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,050 | $1,784 | -41% |
| Groceries | $344 | $450 | -24% |
| Utilities | $118 | $180 | -34% |
| Transport | $491 | $120 | +309% |
| Healthcare | $88 | $277 | -68% |
| Monthly Total | $2,091 | $2,811 | -26% |
| Cost Index | 70 | 143 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Gaithersburg offers 69% 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 Amherst is estimated at
$35,000 vs $106,000 in Gaithersburg.
| Metric | Amherst | Gaithersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $28,448 | $93,000 |
| Salary Needed | $35,000 | $106,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 40,640 idx | 65,035 idx |
| Household Income | $38,920 | $112,467 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Amherst | Gaithersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Amherst has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
7,000 minutes (117 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 | Amherst | Gaithersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | 29 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Walkability | 34.0/10 | 50.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 20.00 | 60.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Gaithersburg is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Amherst.
From a growth perspective, Amherst 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 | Amherst | Gaithersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 10,072 | 70,684 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.80% | 0.60% |
| Median Age | 46.2 | 37.8 |
| Unemployment | 6.30% | 3.70% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Amherst
Advantages
The cost of living in Amherst is 6% lower than the national average, making it a highly affordable place to reside.
Amherst serves as a strategic gateway community into Nova Scotia, offering excellent transportation links and proximity to New Brunswick.
Residents have access to comprehensive healthcare services at the 24/7 Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre, which provides a wide range of specialties.
The town is considered a 'very walkable community' with various outdoor and indoor walking options available to residents.
Amherst has experienced a positive population growth rate of 1.8% year-over-year as of 2024, indicating a growing community.
Drawbacks
Amherst's crime rates are significantly higher, reported to be 154% above the Nova Scotia average.
Public transportation options are minimal, with only 0.4% of commuters using it, leading to a high reliance on personal vehicles.
The median household income in Amherst is $38,920 USD, which is lower than the Nova Scotia median household income of $49,950 USD.
With a median age of 46.2 years, the town has an older demographic profile, which may appeal less to younger populations seeking a vibrant youth culture.
Job growth in Nova Scotia, while positive, has slowed to 0.4% in 2025, potentially impacting local employment opportunities.
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.
Amherst
#24Nova Scotia, Canada
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,050
Avg Salary
$28,448
Cost Index
70
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
34.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.80%
Unemployment
6.30%
Livability
65
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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