Performance
Score Breakdown
Gaithersburg
Albuquerque
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Albuquerque is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
87% higher compared to Gaithersburg.
Housing costs are a major driver: Gaithersburg's average rent is
68% higher than Albuquerque's.
| Metric | Gaithersburg | Albuquerque | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,988 | $1,180 | +68% |
| Groceries | $757 | $400 | +89% |
| Utilities | $406 | $220 | +85% |
| Transport | $369 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $119 | $150 | -21% |
| Monthly Total | $3,639 | $1,950 | +87% |
| Cost Index | 134 | 91 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Albuquerque offers 16% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Albuquerque delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Gaithersburg is estimated at
$106,000 vs $47,196 in Albuquerque.
| Metric | Gaithersburg | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $64,600 | $77,000 |
| Salary Needed | $106,000 | $47,196 |
| Purchasing Power | 48,209 idx | 84,615 idx |
| Household Income | $112,467 | $68,317 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Gaithersburg | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 65.00% | 44.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Albuquerque has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Gaithersburg.
Gaithersburg scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Albuquerque leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Gaithersburg | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 60.0/10 | 52.0/10 |
| Walkability | 30.0/10 | 43.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 65.00 | 25.60 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Albuquerque is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Gaithersburg.
From a growth perspective, Gaithersburg is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Gaithersburg has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Gaithersburg | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 69,825 | 555,119 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.43% | % |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 38.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Gaithersburg
Albuquerque
Advantages
The cost of living in Albuquerque is approximately 9.2% lower than the national average, making it an affordable city.
Albuquerque boasts a mild, dry climate with around 310 days of sunshine annually, ideal for outdoor activities.
Public transportation (ABQ RIDE) operates on a permanent Zero Fares program, offering free bus services since January 2022.
The city has a vibrant arts and culture scene, including numerous museums and the renowned International Balloon Fiesta.
Healthcare costs are about 12% cheaper than the typical U.S. city, contributing to overall affordability.
Drawbacks
Albuquerque is largely a car-dependent city, with a walkability score of 43, making many errands difficult without a vehicle.
Despite some decreases in violent crime, the overall crime rate in Albuquerque increased as of August 2024, and burglaries rose by 11% in 2024.
The city's population is currently experiencing a slight decline, with an annual decrease of -0.26% in 2026.
The average annual job growth rate for the Albuquerque MSA was modest at 0.72% in 2024.
Traffic congestion levels average 25.6% in 2025, leading to increased travel times.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Albuquerque
#36New Mexico, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,180
Avg Salary
$77,000
Cost Index
91
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
52.0/10
Walkability
43.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
70
Business
65
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Gaithersburg and Albuquerque.
Open Cost Calculator