Gaithersburg, MD vs Lafayette, 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
Lafayette
62.7
#1832 nationally
Lafayette leads in crime level (2.2 vs 6.9). Lafayette leads in median household income ($219,250 vs $104,544). Gaithersburg leads in walk score (52 vs 26).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Gaithersburg, MD | Lafayette, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 68.7 (#1291) | 62.7 (#1832) |
| Population | 69,563 | 25,048 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $522,428 | $1,941,109 |
| Median Household Income | $104,544 | $219,250 |
| Average Commute | 30.5 min | 29.7 min |
| Walk Score | 52 | 26 |
| Crime Level | 6.9 | 2.2 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 141 | 280 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+53.3 | D+38.0 |
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-
62.7 Score
Lafayette, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,941,109
Population
25,048
Crime
Low
Walk Score
26
Pacific
View Lafayette, CA →
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