Gaithersburg, MD vs West Lafayette, IN
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
West Lafayette
73.4
#747 nationally
Gaithersburg leads in median household income ($104,544 vs $30,317). West Lafayette leads in crime level (2.6 vs 6.9). West Lafayette leads in average commute (15.3 min vs 30.5 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Gaithersburg, MD | West Lafayette, IN |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 68.7 (#1291) | 73.4 (#747) |
| Population | 69,563 | 44,829 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $522,428 | $370,465 |
| Median Household Income | $104,544 | $30,317 |
| Average Commute | 30.5 min | 15.3 min |
| Walk Score | 52 | 51 |
| Crime Level | 6.9 | 2.6 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 141 | 103 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+53.3 | Even |
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
73.4 Score
West Lafayette, IN
Small Indiana city with local appeal
Median Home
$370,465
Population
44,829
Crime
Low
Walk Score
51
Midwest
View West Lafayette, IN →
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