Performance
Score Breakdown
Gaithersburg
Grand Rapids
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Grand Rapids is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
5% higher compared to Gaithersburg.
Housing costs are a major driver: Gaithersburg's average rent is
19% higher than Grand Rapids's.
| Metric | Gaithersburg | Grand Rapids | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,784 | $1,500 | +19% |
| Groceries | $450 | $650 | -31% |
| Utilities | $180 | $235 | -23% |
| Transport | $120 | $150 | -20% |
| Healthcare | $277 | $152 | +82% |
| Monthly Total | $2,811 | $2,687 | +5% |
| Cost Index | 143 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Gaithersburg offers 89% higher 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 Gaithersburg is estimated at
$106,000 vs $41,000 in Grand Rapids.
| Metric | Gaithersburg | Grand Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $93,000 | $49,334 |
| Salary Needed | $106,000 | $41,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,035 idx | 51,931 idx |
| Household Income | $112,467 | $69,108 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Gaithersburg | Grand Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grand Rapids has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Gaithersburg.
For walkability, Grand Rapids leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Gaithersburg | Grand Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 29 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Walkability | 50.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 60.00 | 21.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Grand Rapids is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Gaithersburg.
From a growth perspective, Gaithersburg is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Gaithersburg | Grand Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 70,684 | 201,357 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.60% | 0.09% |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 32.3 |
| Unemployment | 3.70% | 3.60% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Grand Rapids
Advantages
The cost of living in Grand Rapids is approximately 5% lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
Grand Rapids boasts a diverse and growing job market, particularly in manufacturing, healthcare, and technology sectors, with a projected job growth rate of 0.2% in 2026.
The city has a relatively young median age of 32.3 years, contributing to a dynamic and energetic community.
Grand Rapids was ranked among the best cities in the country for starting a career in May 2026, indicating a strong entrepreneurial and professional environment.
The presence of major healthcare institutions like Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital ensures high-quality medical care and a significant number of facilities.
Drawbacks
Grand Rapids has a higher crime rate compared to most communities in Michigan, with a 1 in 30 chance of being a victim of violent or property crime.
While overall cost of living is lower, healthcare costs in Grand Rapids are about 4.1% higher than the national average.
The city's unemployment rate, at 3.6% in April 2026, is slightly above the national average of 4.198%.
Despite efforts to improve, public transit options and walkability scores are not exceptionally high, suggesting a medium car dependency for residents.
The housing market is competitive, with homes selling quickly and median prices increasing by 3.4% year-over-year as of May 2026.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Grand Rapids
#21Michigan, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,500
Avg Salary
$49,334
Cost Index
95
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
45.0/10
Walkability
55.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.09%
Unemployment
3.60%
Livability
74
Business
70
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