Performance
Score Breakdown
Dell Rapids
Gaithersburg
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Dell Rapids is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
59% lower compared to Gaithersburg.
Housing costs are a major driver: Dell Rapids's average rent is
100% lower than Gaithersburg's.
| Metric | Dell Rapids | Gaithersburg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $0 | $1,784 | -100% |
| Groceries | $500 | $450 | +11% |
| Utilities | $200 | $180 | +11% |
| Transport | $150 | $120 | +25% |
| Healthcare | $300 | $277 | +8% |
| Monthly Total | $1,150 | $2,811 | -59% |
| Cost Index | 90 | 143 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Gaithersburg offers 37% 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 Dell Rapids is estimated at
$75,000 vs $106,000 in Gaithersburg.
| Metric | Dell Rapids | Gaithersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,307 | $93,000 |
| Salary Needed | $75,000 | $106,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 64,786 idx | 65,035 idx |
| Household Income | $100,170 | $112,467 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Dell Rapids | Gaithersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Dell Rapids has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 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 | Dell Rapids | Gaithersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 29 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Walkability | 30.0/10 | 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 Dell Rapids.
From a growth perspective, Gaithersburg is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Dell Rapids has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Dell Rapids | Gaithersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,815 | 70,684 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 0.60% |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 37.8 |
| Unemployment | 1.80% | 3.70% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Dell Rapids
Advantages
Median household income of $100,170 in 2024 is significantly higher than the national average, indicating strong economic well-being for residents.
High homeownership rate of 82.3% in 2024 suggests a stable and desirable housing market for residents.
The state of South Dakota, which Dell Rapids is part of, had a very low unemployment rate of 1.8% in 2024, indicating a healthy job market in the region.
The median sale price of homes increased by 15.1% over the three months ending May 2026, showing appreciation in property values.
Dell Rapids offers a strong sense of community and a peaceful, small-town lifestyle with access to natural amenities like the Big Sioux River.
Drawbacks
The city's population is projected to be declining at an annual rate of -0.96% in 2026.
Employment in Dell Rapids experienced a decline of -2.49% from 2023 to 2024.
The city is highly car-dependent, with limited public transit and walkability, necessitating personal vehicle ownership for most transportation needs.
Long-term care costs in South Dakota, including assisted living and nursing home care, are substantial, with assisted living averaging $5,341 per month in 2024.
Specific city-level data for various economic indicators like job growth rate and new business growth rate are not readily available, making detailed economic analysis challenging.
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.
Dell Rapids
#49South Dakota, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$0
Avg Salary
$58,307
Cost Index
90
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
20.0/10
Walkability
30.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
1.80%
Livability
75
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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