Performance
Score Breakdown
Natchitoches
Gaithersburg
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Natchitoches is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
76% lower compared to Gaithersburg.
Housing costs are a major driver: Natchitoches's average rent is
63% lower than Gaithersburg's.
| Metric | Natchitoches | Gaithersburg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $664 | $1,784 | -63% |
| Groceries | $0 | $450 | -100% |
| Utilities | $0 | $180 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $120 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $277 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $664 | $2,811 | -76% |
| Cost Index | 143 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Gaithersburg offers 76% lower average salaries.
| Metric | Natchitoches | Gaithersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $22,157 | $93,000 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $106,000 |
| Household Income | $37,133 | $112,467 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Natchitoches | 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
Natchitoches has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,500 minutes (108 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 | Natchitoches | Gaithersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 16 min | 29 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Walkability | 40.0/10 | 50.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 60.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Gaithersburg is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Natchitoches.
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.
| Metric | Natchitoches | Gaithersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 17,577 | 70,684 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 0.60% |
| Median Age | 26.5 | 37.8 |
| Unemployment | 5.60% | 3.70% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Natchitoches
Advantages
Natchitoches boasts a rich historical and cultural heritage, being the oldest permanent settlement in the Louisiana Purchase.
The average commute time of 16.2 minutes is significantly shorter than the national average, improving daily convenience.
The cost of living, particularly median rent at $664 per month, is relatively low, enhancing affordability.
The city is home to Northwestern State University, contributing to a vibrant, youthful demographic and educational opportunities.
Natchitoches Regional Medical Center offers comprehensive healthcare services and is actively working to improve patient satisfaction and quality of care.
Drawbacks
Natchitoches has a high crime rate, with total crime being 149% higher than the national average and a violent crime rate of 891.1 per 100,000 residents.
The city's livability score is 56/100, ranking it low compared to other U.S. cities.
Public transportation is limited, leading to high car dependency for residents.
The median household income of $37,133 in 2024 is considerably lower than the national average.
Summers are characterized by oppressive heat and high humidity, which can be uncomfortable for some 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.
Natchitoches
#133Louisiana, USA
55.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$664
Avg Salary
$22,157
Cost Index
Commute
16 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
40.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.60%
Livability
56
Business
60
Gaithersburg
#28Maryland, 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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