Gaithersburg, MD vs Palatine, IL
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
Palatine
74.6
#575 nationally
Palatine leads in crime level (1.8 vs 6.9). Gaithersburg leads in walk score (52 vs 41). Palatine leads in cost of living index (115 vs 141).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Gaithersburg, MD | Palatine, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 68.7 (#1291) | 74.6 (#575) |
| Population | 69,563 | 64,869 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $522,428 | $396,744 |
| Median Household Income | $104,544 | $93,383 |
| Average Commute | 30.5 min | 28.7 min |
| Walk Score | 52 | 41 |
| Crime Level | 6.9 | 1.8 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 141 | 115 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+53.3 | D+42.0 |
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 →
C
74.6 Score
Palatine, IL
Illinois community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$396,744
Population
64,869
Crime
Low
Walk Score
41
Midwest
View Palatine, IL →
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