Performance
Score Breakdown
New York City
Gaithersburg
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Gaithersburg is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
58% higher compared to New York City.
Housing costs are a major driver: New York City's average rent is
137% higher than Gaithersburg's.
| Metric | New York City | Gaithersburg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $4,719 | $1,988 | +137% |
| Groceries | $500 | $757 | -34% |
| Utilities | $175 | $406 | -57% |
| Transport | $132 | $369 | -64% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $119 | +85% |
| Monthly Total | $5,746 | $3,639 | +58% |
| Cost Index | 179 | 134 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
New York City offers 14% higher 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 New York City is estimated at
$171,000 vs $106,000 in Gaithersburg.
| Metric | New York City | Gaithersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $73,950 | $64,600 |
| Salary Needed | $171,000 | $106,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 41,313 idx | 48,209 idx |
| Household Income | $74,694 | $112,467 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | New York City | Gaithersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 63.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Gaithersburg has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,500 minutes (92 hours) per year compared to New York City.
New York City scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, New York City leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | New York City | Gaithersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 41 min | 30 min |
| Transit Score | 90.0/10 | 60.0/10 |
| Walkability | 88.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 85.00 | 65.00 |
| Car Dependency | Low | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
New York City is the larger city
— approximately 121.4x the population of Gaithersburg.
From a growth perspective, New York City 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 | New York City | Gaithersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,478,000 | 69,825 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.04% | 0.43% |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 37.8 |
| Unemployment | 5.60% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
New York City
Advantages
New York City's population grew by 1.04% between July 2023 and July 2024, indicating strong appeal and recovery.
The city's private sector added 115,000 jobs in 2024, demonstrating a robust and growing job market.
New York City companies raised $24 billion in venture capital in 2024, highlighting a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Overall major crime in New York City decreased by nearly 3% in 2024 compared to 2023, contributing to a safer urban environment.
New York City offers unparalleled cultural and entertainment opportunities, with world-class theaters, museums, and dining.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in New York City is 79% higher than the national average, primarily driven by extremely high housing costs.
A single adult needs an estimated $171,000 before taxes to live comfortably in New York City.
The average one-way commute time in New York City was 40.6 minutes in 2024, making it one of the longest in the U.S.
New York State's hospital quality ratings are among the lowest in the U.S., with an average of 2.5 out of 5 stars in 2025.
Felony assaults in New York City increased by 4.9% in 2024 and remain 40.4% above 2019 levels, contributing to lingering safety concerns.
Gaithersburg
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
New York City
#40New York, USA
65.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$4,719
Avg Salary
$73,950
Cost Index
179
Commute
41 min
Transit Score
90.0/10
Walkability
88.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.04%
Unemployment
5.60%
Livability
68
Business
80
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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