Performance
Score Breakdown
Gaithersburg
Sitka
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Sitka is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
1776% higher compared to Gaithersburg.
| Metric | Gaithersburg | Sitka | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,988 | $0 | 0% |
| Groceries | $757 | $0 | 0% |
| Utilities | $406 | $194 | +109% |
| Transport | $369 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $119 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $3,639 | $194 | +1776% |
| Cost Index | 134 | 117 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Gaithersburg offers similar average salaries.
| Metric | Gaithersburg | Sitka |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $64,600 | $0 |
| Salary Needed | $106,000 | $0 |
| Household Income | $112,467 | $101,727 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Sitka runs warmer on average — a 43.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Sitka comes out ahead with 111 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Sitka sees 198.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Gaithersburg | Sitka |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | 43.90°F |
| Summer High | °F | 60.80°F |
| Winter Low | °F | 28.20°F |
| Rainfall | in | 138.90 in |
| Snowfall | in | 198.70 in |
| Sunny Days | 111 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Sitka has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
8,500 minutes (142 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 | Sitka |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 13 min |
| Transit Score | 60.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 30.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 65.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Gaithersburg is the larger city
— approximately 8.3x the population of Sitka.
From a growth perspective, Gaithersburg is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Sitka has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Gaithersburg | Sitka |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 69,825 | 8,368 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.43% | % |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 39.7 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 3.10% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Gaithersburg
Sitka
Advantages
Sitka has a livability score of 85/100, ranking it in the 98th percentile of all cities.
The average one-way commute time in Sitka is 13 minutes, significantly shorter than the national average.
Sitka's crime rate is far below the national average, making it a very safe place to live.
The median household income in Sitka was $101,727 in 2024, exceeding the national average.
The healthcare sector in Sitka experienced an 8% growth in jobs and an 18% rise in wages from 2022 to 2024.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Sitka is 17% higher than the national average.
Housing shortages and pricing are significant concerns for residents and employers.
The seafood industry, a key economic sector, saw a decline in earnings and jobs from 2023 to 2024.
Sitka's population is on a steady downward trajectory, with a loss of 10.5% from 2014 to 2024.
The average residential electricity bill in Sitka is higher than the national average.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Sitka
#3Alaska, USA
85.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$0
Avg Salary
$0
Cost Index
117
Commute
13 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
111/yr
Avg Temp
43.90°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.10%
Livability
85
Business
85
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