Gaithersburg
Maryland, USA
#28 in USA
72
Overall Score
VS
Sapé
Paraíba, Brazil
#12 in Brazil
60
Overall Score
Gaithersburg scores higher overall

Score Breakdown

Gaithersburg
Sapé
Livability
74
65
Affordability
55
70
Business
70
55
Growth
70
50

Cost of Living

Sapé is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately 0% higher compared to Gaithersburg.
MetricGaithersburgSapéDiff
Average Rent
$1,784$00%
Groceries
$450$00%
Utilities
$180$00%
Transport
$120$00%
Healthcare
$277$00%
Monthly Total
$2,811$00%
Cost Index
143out of 100

Salary & Income

Gaithersburg offers 1915% higher average salaries.
MetricGaithersburgSapé
Average Salary
$93,000$4,615
Salary Needed
$106,000$0
Household Income
$112,467$6,923

Climate Comparison

Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
MetricGaithersburgSapé
Avg Temp
°F°F
Summer High
°F°F
Winter Low
°F°F
Rainfall
in in
Snowfall
in in
Sunny Days
Humidity
65.00%%

Commute & Transport

Sapé has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly 14,500 minutes (242 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.
MetricGaithersburgSapé
Commute Time
29 min min
Transit Score
45.0/100.0/10
Walkability
50.0/100.0/10
Traffic Index
60.00
Car Dependency
MediumMedium

Economy & Demographics

Gaithersburg is the larger city — approximately 1.3x the population of Sapé. From a growth perspective, Gaithersburg 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.
MetricGaithersburgSapé
Population
70,68453,457
Pop. Growth
0.60%%
Median Age
37.833.0
Unemployment
3.70%5.40%
GDP
$0.0B$0.0B

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 $53,359 in 2024 is considerably lower than the median household income, suggesting potential income disparity.
Sapé
Advantages
Sapé is a significant exporter of pineapple, contributing to its regional economic identity.
The city is the birthplace of the renowned poet Augusto dos Anjos, holding cultural significance.
Public administration and healthcare are major employment sectors, providing stable job opportunities.
The cost of living is likely lower than in major Brazilian urban centers, offering affordability.
Sapé possesses natural attractions like the RPPN Reserva Particular de Patrimônio Natural de Pacatuba, offering environmental value.
Drawbacks
The city's population has experienced a slight decrease in recent years (-2.2% over the last 5 years).
Average salaries for formal workers (R$ 2,000/month) are below the state average.
The city's GDP per capita (R$ 16,615 in 2023) is below state and national averages.
Specific data on walkability, transit scores, and crime rates for Sapé are not readily available.
The entrepreneurial climate shows challenges in density and growth indicators despite new business registrations.

Dive Deeper

Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.

Gaithersburg
#28
Maryland, 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
View Full Profile
Sapé
#12
Paraíba, Brazil
60.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$0
Avg Salary
$4,615
Cost Index
Commute
min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.40%
Livability
65
Business
55
View Full Profile

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