Performance
Score Breakdown
Anaheim
Gaithersburg
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Gaithersburg is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
36% higher compared to Anaheim.
Housing costs are a major driver: Anaheim's average rent is
39% higher than Gaithersburg's.
| Metric | Anaheim | Gaithersburg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,487 | $1,784 | +39% |
| Groceries | $411 | $450 | -9% |
| Utilities | $262 | $180 | +46% |
| Transport | $514 | $120 | +328% |
| Healthcare | $139 | $277 | -50% |
| Monthly Total | $3,813 | $2,811 | +36% |
| Cost Index | 149 | 143 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Gaithersburg offers 58% 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 Anaheim is estimated at
$59,000 vs $106,000 in Gaithersburg.
| Metric | Anaheim | Gaithersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $39,182 | $93,000 |
| Salary Needed | $59,000 | $106,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 26,297 idx | 65,035 idx |
| Household Income | $95,227 | $112,467 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Anaheim | Gaithersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 60.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
| Metric | Anaheim | Gaithersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 29 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Walkability | 50.0/10 | 50.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 67.00 | 60.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Anaheim is the larger city
— approximately 4.9x the population of Gaithersburg.
From a growth perspective, Gaithersburg is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Anaheim has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Anaheim | Gaithersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 346,597 | 70,684 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.31% | 0.60% |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 37.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 3.70% |
| GDP | $22.8B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Anaheim
Advantages
Anaheim boasts a diverse job market with strong opportunities in tourism, healthcare, and manufacturing.
The city enjoys a Mediterranean climate with over 280 sunny days annually, ideal for outdoor activities.
Home to world-renowned entertainment like Disneyland Resort, offering abundant recreational and cultural attractions.
Healthcare costs are approximately 7% lower than the national average.
The unemployment rate in Anaheim was 3.2% in March 2026, below state and county averages.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Anaheim is significantly high, approximately 48.7% above the national average.
Housing costs are particularly expensive, being around 175.1% higher than the U.S. average.
Anaheim has a higher violent crime rate (596.2 per 100,000 residents) compared to the national average.
Traffic congestion is a notable issue, especially on major freeways and around popular attractions.
Public transportation options are limited, leading to high car dependency for most residents.
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.
Anaheim
#64California, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,487
Avg Salary
$39,182
Cost Index
149
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
45.0/10
Walkability
50.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.31%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
72
Business
70
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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