City Comparison
Bowie vs Gaithersburg
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Bowie scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Bowie
Gaithersburg
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Gaithersburg is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
15% lower than in Bowie.
Housing costs are a major driver: Bowie's average rent is
33% higher than Gaithersburg's.
| Metric | Bowie | Gaithersburg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,370 | $1,784 | +33% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $277 | -17% |
| Monthly Total | $3,300 | $2,811 | +17% |
| Cost Index | 118 | 143 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Gaithersburg offers 11% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Bowie delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Bowie is estimated at
$65,000 vs $106,000 in Gaithersburg.
| Metric | Bowie | Gaithersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $83,000 | $93,000 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $106,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 70,339 idx | 65,035 idx |
| Household Income | $141,995 | $112,467 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Bowie runs warmer on average — a 56.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Bowie comes out ahead with 241 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Bowie sees 16.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Bowie | Gaithersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 56.60°F | °F |
| Summer High | 84.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 25.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 50.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 16.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 241 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Gaithersburg has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Bowie.
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 | Bowie | Gaithersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 29 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 50.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 60.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Gaithersburg is the larger city
— approximately 0.8x the population of Bowie.
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 | Bowie | Gaithersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 58,383 | 70,684 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.45% | 0.60% |
| Median Age | 44.0 | 37.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 3.70% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Bowie
Advantages
Median household income in Bowie is exceptionally high at $141,995, significantly surpassing both state and national averages per the U.S. Census Bureau.
Bowie features a low poverty rate of just 3.8%, reflecting strong economic stability across local households.
The city's educational attainment is high, with over 95% of residents holding a high school diploma and a large share possessing bachelor's degrees or higher.
Extensive municipal park systems and recreational facilities provide ample green space and outdoor activities for residents.
Strategic mid-Atlantic location offers seamless commuting access to Washington, D.C., Annapolis, and Baltimore.
Drawbacks
Cost of living and typical housing expenses are notably higher than the national average, creating affordability hurdles for first-time buyers.
High car dependency results in heavy reliance on major regional highways, which experience regular commuter congestion.
Public transit options within city limits are somewhat limited compared to denser urban centers closer to Washington, D.C.
Property tax rates in Prince George's County can place a heavy recurring financial burden on homeowners.
Modest population growth rate paired with limited new multi-family housing inventory constricts rental availability.
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.
Bowie
#352Maryland, USA
59.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,370
Avg Salary
$83,000
Cost Index
118
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
241/yr
Avg Temp
56.60°F
Pop. Growth
0.45%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
79
Business
70
Gaithersburg
#580Maryland, USA
45.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,784
Avg Salary
$93,000
Cost Index
143
Commute
29 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
50.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.60%
Unemployment
3.70%
Livability
74
Business
70
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