City Comparison
Gaithersburg vs Folsom
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
California, USA
View Folsom profile
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Gaithersburg scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Gaithersburg
Folsom
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
| Metric | Gaithersburg | Folsom | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,784 | $0 | 0% |
| Groceries | $450 | $0 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $0 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $277 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,811 | $0 | 0% |
| Cost Index | 143 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Gaithersburg offers similar average salaries.
| Metric | Gaithersburg | Folsom |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $93,000 | $0 |
| Salary Needed | $106,000 | $0 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Gaithersburg | Folsom |
|---|---|---|
| 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
Folsom 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.
| Metric | Gaithersburg | Folsom |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 29 min | min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 50.0/100 | — |
| Traffic Index | 60.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Gaithersburg is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Gaithersburg is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Folsom has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Gaithersburg | Folsom |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 70,684 | 0 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.60% | — |
| Median Age | 37.8 | |
| Unemployment | 3.70% | % |
| GDP | — | — |
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.
Folsom
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Folsom
California, USA
0.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$0
Avg Salary
$0
Cost Index
Commute
min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
%
Livability
0
Business
0
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