Performance
Score Breakdown
Gaithersburg
Moscow
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Moscow is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
110% higher compared to Gaithersburg.
Housing costs are a major driver: Gaithersburg's average rent is
33% higher than Moscow's.
| Metric | Gaithersburg | Moscow | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,784 | $1,338 | +33% |
| Groceries | $450 | $0 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $0 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $277 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,811 | $1,338 | +110% |
| Cost Index | 143 | 111 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Gaithersburg offers 22% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Moscow delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Gaithersburg is estimated at
$106,000 vs $84,360 in Moscow.
| Metric | Gaithersburg | Moscow |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $93,000 | $76,000 |
| Salary Needed | $106,000 | $84,360 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,035 idx | 68,468 idx |
| Household Income | $112,467 | $57,022 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Gaithersburg | Moscow |
|---|---|---|
| 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
Moscow has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
7,500 minutes (125 hours) per year compared to Gaithersburg.
For walkability, Gaithersburg leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Gaithersburg | Moscow |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 29 min | 14 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Walkability | 50.0/10 | 48.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 60.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Gaithersburg is the larger city
— approximately 2.7x the population of Moscow.
From a growth perspective, Moscow is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Moscow has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Gaithersburg | Moscow |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 70,684 | 26,286 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.60% | 0.80% |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 25.7 |
| Unemployment | 3.70% | 3.00% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
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.
Moscow
Advantages
High walkability score of 48, making many errands accessible on foot.
Short average commute time of 14.3 minutes, significantly below the national average.
Strong presence of the University of Idaho contributes to a vibrant cultural scene and job market.
Crime rates have seen a significant decrease, with violent crime rates well below the national average.
Rental prices are relatively affordable compared to national averages, despite a higher cost of living than the Idaho average.
Drawbacks
Median household income ($57,022) is below the national average.
Cost of living is 11% higher than the national average.
Limited public transit options contribute to a medium car dependency.
Job growth rate of 0.167% is modest.
Median age of 25.7 is significantly younger than the national average, which may not appeal to all demographics.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Gaithersburg
#25Maryland, 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
Moscow
#14Idaho, USA
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,338
Avg Salary
$76,000
Cost Index
111
Commute
14 min
Transit Score
45.0/10
Walkability
48.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.00%
Livability
87
Business
65
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