Gaithersburg, MD vs Irvine, CA
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.
Gaithersburg
68.7
#1291 nationally
Irvine
67.2
#1452 nationally
Gaithersburg leads in cost of living index (141 vs 178). Irvine leads in average commute (25.8 min vs 30.5 min). Gaithersburg leads in walk score (52 vs 44).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Gaithersburg, MD | Irvine, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 68.7 (#1291) | 67.2 (#1452) |
| Population | 69,563 | 307,670 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $522,428 | $1,517,431 |
| Median Household Income | $104,544 | $116,519 |
| Average Commute | 30.5 min | 25.8 min |
| Walk Score | 52 | 44 |
| Crime Level | 6.9 | Very Low |
| School Rating | N/A | 9.5 |
| Cost of Living Index | 141 | 178 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+53.3 | D+2.6 |
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 →
D+
67.2 Score
Irvine, CA
Master-planned perfection in Southern California
Median Home
$1,517,431
Population
307,670
Crime
Very Low
Schools
A+
Pacific
View Irvine, CA →
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