Performance
Score Breakdown
Gadsden
Gaithersburg
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Gadsden is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
50% lower compared to Gaithersburg.
Housing costs are a major driver: Gadsden's average rent is
65% lower than Gaithersburg's.
| Metric | Gadsden | Gaithersburg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $700 | $1,988 | -65% |
| Groceries | $450 | $757 | -41% |
| Utilities | $283 | $406 | -30% |
| Transport | $150 | $369 | -59% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $119 | +110% |
| Monthly Total | $1,833 | $3,639 | -50% |
| Cost Index | 85 | 134 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Gaithersburg offers 31% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Gadsden delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Gadsden is estimated at
$50,000 vs $106,000 in Gaithersburg.
| Metric | Gadsden | Gaithersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $44,346 | $64,600 |
| Salary Needed | $50,000 | $106,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 52,172 idx | 48,209 idx |
| Household Income | $40,345 | $112,467 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Gadsden | Gaithersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 75.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Gadsden has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Gaithersburg.
Gaithersburg scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Gaithersburg leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Gadsden | Gaithersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 30 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/10 | 60.0/10 |
| Walkability | 25.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 65.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Gaithersburg is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Gadsden.
From a growth perspective, Gaithersburg is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Gadsden has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Gadsden | Gaithersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 33,374 | 69,825 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 0.43% |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 37.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.00% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Gadsden
Advantages
Median home sale price of $165,000 (May 2026) is significantly lower than the national average, making homeownership more accessible.
Overall cost of living is 15% lower than the national average.
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment is around $700 per month (June 2026), offering affordable rental options.
Home to two hospitals, Gadsden Regional Medical Center and Riverview Regional Medical Center, offering top-rated programs and quality care.
Features a humid subtropical climate with distinct seasons, providing varied weather experiences throughout the year.
Drawbacks
The overall crime rate is 49% higher than the national average, with violent crimes being 62% higher.
The city is considered car-dependent, with a Walk Score of 25, meaning most errands require a car.
Median household income of $40,345 (2024) is lower than the national average.
Population has experienced a negative growth rate of -1.2% annually between 2019 and 2024.
Utility costs, particularly electricity, are higher than the national average.
Gaithersburg
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Gadsden
#40Alabama, USA
65.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$700
Avg Salary
$44,346
Cost Index
85
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
20.0/10
Walkability
25.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.00%
Livability
67
Business
58
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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