City Comparison
North Bethesda vs Gaithersburg
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
North Bethesda scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
North Bethesda
Gaithersburg
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Gaithersburg is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
17% lower than in North Bethesda.
Housing costs are a major driver: North Bethesda's average rent is
35% higher than Gaithersburg's.
| Metric | North Bethesda | Gaithersburg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,400 | $1,784 | +35% |
| Groceries | $450 | $450 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $277 | -10% |
| Monthly Total | $3,400 | $2,811 | +21% |
| Cost Index | 128 | 143 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Gaithersburg offers 12% 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 North Bethesda is estimated at
$65,000 vs $106,000 in Gaithersburg.
| Metric | North Bethesda | Gaithersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $82,000 | $93,000 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $106,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 64,063 idx | 65,035 idx |
| Household Income | $129,092 | $112,467 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
North Bethesda runs warmer on average — a 56.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, North Bethesda comes out ahead with 234 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — North Bethesda sees 15.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | North Bethesda | Gaithersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 56.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 85.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 26.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 46.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 15.30 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 234 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
North Bethesda scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, North Bethesda leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | North Bethesda | Gaithersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 29 min |
| Transit Score | 68.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 70.0/100 | 50.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | 60.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Gaithersburg is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of North Bethesda.
From a growth perspective, North Bethesda 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 | North Bethesda | Gaithersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 50,806 | 70,684 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.87% | 0.60% |
| Median Age | 40.7 | 37.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 3.70% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
North Bethesda
Advantages
Median household income stands at an affluent $129,092 per year per U.S. Census Bureau data
Direct access to Washington, D.C. via multiple WMATA Red Line Metro stations
High concentration of residents with graduate or professional degrees exceeding 40%
Vibrant mixed-use urban centers like Pike & Rose offering premier dining, retail, and arts
Crime rates well below national averages supporting a secure community environment
Drawbacks
Overall cost of living and housing expenses run roughly 28% to 32% higher than the national average
Average monthly apartment rent exceeds $2,400, creating affordability hurdles for lower-income renters
Traffic congestion along Rockville Pike and major commuter corridors during peak hours
High property tax and real estate acquisition costs relative to the national baseline
Competitive rental and housing markets with limited inventory for low-to-moderate-income families
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.
North Bethesda
#385Maryland, USA
59.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,400
Avg Salary
$82,000
Cost Index
128
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
68.0/100
Walkability
70.0/100
Sunny Days
234/yr
Avg Temp
56.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.87%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
83
Business
78
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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