Gaithersburg, MD vs Oakland, 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
Oakland
62
#1880 nationally
Oakland leads in walk score (73 vs 52). Gaithersburg leads in median household income ($104,544 vs $85,459). Gaithersburg leads in cost of living index (141 vs 155).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Gaithersburg, MD | Oakland, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 68.7 (#1291) | 62 (#1880) |
| Population | 69,563 | 433,823 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $522,428 | $717,798 |
| Median Household Income | $104,544 | $85,459 |
| Average Commute | 30.5 min | 32.1 min |
| Walk Score | 52 | 73 |
| Crime Level | 6.9 | High |
| School Rating | N/A | 4.8 |
| Cost of Living Index | 141 | 155 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+53.3 | D+53.6 |
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-
62 Score
Oakland, CA
Gritty, diverse, and full of culture
Median Home
$717,798
Population
433,823
Crime
High
Schools
C
Pacific
View Oakland, CA →
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