Performance
Score Breakdown
Barrie
Gaithersburg
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Barrie is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
1% lower compared to Gaithersburg.
| Metric | Barrie | Gaithersburg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,810 | $1,988 | -9% |
| Groceries | $1,460 | $757 | +93% |
| Utilities | $259 | $406 | -36% |
| Transport | $91 | $369 | -75% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $119 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $3,620 | $3,639 | -1% |
| Cost Index | 112 | 134 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Gaithersburg offers 95% 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 Barrie is estimated at
$5,425 vs $106,000 in Gaithersburg.
| Metric | Barrie | Gaithersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $3,480 | $64,600 |
| Salary Needed | $5,425 | $106,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 3,107 idx | 48,209 idx |
| Household Income | $67,000 | $112,467 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Barrie | Gaithersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Barrie has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
15,000 minutes (250 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 | Barrie | Gaithersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | min | 30 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 60.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 65.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Barrie is the larger city
— approximately 2.6x the population of Gaithersburg.
From a growth perspective, Barrie 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 | Barrie | Gaithersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 179,450 | 69,825 |
| Pop. Growth | 4.20% | 0.43% |
| Median Age | 37.8 | |
| Unemployment | 12.50% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Barrie
Advantages
Barrie was ranked as the second fastest-growing city in Canada in 2025, indicating strong population inflows.
The average home price in Barrie was $711,800 CAD in December 2025, which is more affordable than the Greater Toronto Area.
Barrie is recognized as a safe city, having been ranked among the safest in Canada with a low violent Crime Severity Index.
The Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH) is undergoing a significant expansion, planning to double its size and build a new South Campus, enhancing healthcare access.
Barrie boasts over 350 hectares of park space, with 93% of residents having a park or green space close to their home.
Drawbacks
The unemployment rate in Barrie was 12.5% in 2024, which is higher than the national average.
The average rent in Barrie, at $1,810 USD per month as of June 2026, is comparable to the national median rent, indicating it's not significantly cheaper than other areas in Canada.
Food costs are projected to increase, with an average family of four expected to pay an estimated $994.63 CAD more for food in 2026 than in 2025.
Barrie's cost of living is 12% higher than the national average.
The city's rapid growth has led to a shortage of developable lands within its municipal boundary, posing challenges for future housing and employment needs.
Gaithersburg
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Barrie
#4Ontario, Canada
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,810
Avg Salary
$3,480
Cost Index
112
Commute
min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
4.20%
Unemployment
12.50%
Livability
74
Business
68
Gaithersburg
#31Maryland, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,988
Avg Salary
$64,600
Cost Index
134
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
60.0/10
Walkability
30.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.43%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
78
Business
75
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