Performance
Score Breakdown
Aberdeen
Gaithersburg
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Aberdeen is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
44% lower compared to Gaithersburg.
Housing costs are a major driver: Aberdeen's average rent is
46% lower than Gaithersburg's.
| Metric | Aberdeen | Gaithersburg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,081 | $1,988 | -46% |
| Groceries | $400 | $757 | -47% |
| Utilities | $180 | $406 | -56% |
| Transport | $120 | $369 | -67% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $119 | +110% |
| Monthly Total | $2,031 | $3,639 | -44% |
| Cost Index | 94 | 134 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Gaithersburg offers 11% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Aberdeen delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Aberdeen is estimated at
$43,240 vs $106,000 in Gaithersburg.
| Metric | Aberdeen | Gaithersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $57,742 | $64,600 |
| Salary Needed | $43,240 | $106,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,428 idx | 48,209 idx |
| Household Income | $64,405 | $112,467 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Aberdeen | Gaithersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Aberdeen has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
9,000 minutes (150 hours) per year compared to Gaithersburg.
Gaithersburg scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Aberdeen leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Aberdeen | Gaithersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 12 min | 30 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 60.0/10 |
| Walkability | 39.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 65.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Gaithersburg is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Aberdeen.
From a growth perspective, Gaithersburg is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Aberdeen has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Aberdeen | Gaithersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 28,189 | 69,825 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 0.43% |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 37.8 |
| Unemployment | 1.70% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Aberdeen
Advantages
Aberdeen boasts a significantly lower cost of living, estimated to be 6% below the U.S. national average in 2026.
The average commute time in Aberdeen is exceptionally short, at just 11.9 minutes as of 2024.
The violent crime rate is 72% below the national average, contributing to a high safety score.
Aberdeen has a high industry diversity of 98.7%, indicating strong economic stability.
Avera St. Luke's Hospital was recognized among America's 100 Best for Coronary Intervention in 2026, highlighting quality healthcare.
Drawbacks
Aberdeen's population is currently declining, with a projected annual rate of -0.37% in 2026.
The city is largely car-dependent, with a walkability score of 39 and limited public transit options.
Employment in Aberdeen declined by -2.54% from 2023 to 2024.
Winters in Aberdeen are described as freezing, snowy, and windy, with an average January low of 6°F.
Some healthcare facilities, like Sanford Aberdeen Medical Center, declined to respond to Leapfrog Group on several patient safety and equity measures.
Gaithersburg
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Aberdeen
#8South Dakota, USA
78.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,081
Avg Salary
$57,742
Cost Index
94
Commute
12 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
39.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
1.70%
Livability
80
Business
75
Gaithersburg
#31Maryland, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,988
Avg Salary
$64,600
Cost Index
134
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
60.0/10
Walkability
30.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.43%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
78
Business
75
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