Cary, NC vs Gaithersburg, MD
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Cary
72.1
#924 nationally
Gaithersburg
68.7
#1291 nationally
Cary leads in crime level (1.9 vs 6.9). Gaithersburg leads in walk score (52 vs 28). Cary leads in average commute (22.8 min vs 30.5 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Cary, NC | Gaithersburg, MD |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.1 (#924) | 68.7 (#1291) |
| Population | 180,010 | 69,563 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $628,913 | $522,428 |
| Median Household Income | $125,317 | $104,544 |
| Average Commute | 22.8 min | 30.5 min |
| Walk Score | 28 | 52 |
| Crime Level | 1.9 | 6.9 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 125 | 141 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+25.6 | D+53.3 |
C-
72.1 Score
Cary, NC
Mid-size North Carolina city with community character
Median Home
$628,913
Population
180,010
Crime
Low
Walk Score
28
Southeast
View Cary, NC →
D+
68.7 Score
Gaithersburg, MD
Maryland community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$522,428
Population
69,563
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
52
Northeast
View Gaithersburg, MD →