Performance
Score Breakdown
Bel Air South
Gaithersburg
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Gaithersburg is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
12% higher compared to Bel Air South.
Housing costs are a major driver: Bel Air South's average rent is
23% higher than Gaithersburg's.
| Metric | Bel Air South | Gaithersburg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,187 | $1,784 | +23% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $220 | $180 | +22% |
| Transport | $180 | $120 | +50% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $277 | -46% |
| Monthly Total | $3,137 | $2,811 | +12% |
| Cost Index | 117 | 143 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Gaithersburg offers 33% 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 Bel Air South is estimated at
$65,000 vs $106,000 in Gaithersburg.
| Metric | Bel Air South | Gaithersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,200 | $93,000 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $106,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 53,162 idx | 65,035 idx |
| Household Income | $123,653 | $112,467 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Bel Air South | Gaithersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 80.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
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 | Bel Air South | Gaithersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 29 min |
| Transit Score | 16.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Walkability | 22.0/10 | 50.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 60.00 | 60.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Gaithersburg is the larger city
— approximately 0.8x the population of Bel Air South.
From a growth perspective, Bel Air South is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Bel Air South has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Bel Air South | Gaithersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,008 | 70,684 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.30% | 0.60% |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 37.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.40% | 3.70% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Bel Air South
Advantages
Bel Air South boasts a high median household income of $123,653 as of 2024, significantly exceeding national averages.
The community has an exceptional Livability Score of 82/100, indicating a high quality of life.
Home prices in Bel Air South have shown strong appreciation, with a 12.5% increase in median home prices by May 2026 compared to the previous year.
The area benefits from a strong job market, particularly in education, healthcare, and the defense/technology sectors due to its proximity to Aberdeen Proving Ground.
Access to comprehensive healthcare facilities like UM Upper Chesapeake Medical Center Bel Air and MedStar Health at Bel Air Medical Center ensures quality medical care.
Drawbacks
Bel Air South's cost of living is estimated to be 17% higher than the national average, primarily driven by housing and utility costs.
The community is highly car-dependent, with low Walk (22/100) and Transit (16/100) scores, indicating minimal public transportation options.
Crime rates in Bel Air South are reported to be 12% higher than the national average, with violent crimes 13% higher.
The violent crime rate of 6.6 per 1,000 residents is significantly higher than the national average of 3.6.
Utility costs, particularly electricity, are higher than both the Maryland and national averages.
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.
Bel Air South
#49Maryland, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,187
Avg Salary
$62,200
Cost Index
117
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
16.0/10
Walkability
22.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.30%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
82
Business
75
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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