Gaithersburg, MD vs Salinas, 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
Salinas
63.5
#1766 nationally
Gaithersburg leads in crime level (6.9 vs 14.4). Gaithersburg leads in median household income ($104,544 vs $84,250). Salinas leads in average commute (25.9 min vs 30.5 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Gaithersburg, MD | Salinas, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 68.7 (#1291) | 63.5 (#1766) |
| Population | 69,563 | 159,506 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $522,428 | $753,868 |
| Median Household Income | $104,544 | $84,250 |
| Average Commute | 30.5 min | 25.9 min |
| Walk Score | 52 | 55 |
| Crime Level | 6.9 | 14.4 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 141 | 149 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+53.3 | D+29.9 |
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
63.5 Score
Salinas, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$753,868
Population
159,506
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
55
Pacific
View Salinas, CA →
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