Performance
Score Breakdown
Gaithersburg
Des Moines
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Des Moines is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
30% higher compared to Gaithersburg.
Housing costs are a major driver: Gaithersburg's average rent is
167% higher than Des Moines's.
| Metric | Gaithersburg | Des Moines | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,988 | $744 | +167% |
| Groceries | $757 | $600 | +26% |
| Utilities | $406 | $150 | +171% |
| Transport | $369 | $800 | -54% |
| Healthcare | $119 | $500 | -76% |
| Monthly Total | $3,639 | $2,794 | +30% |
| Cost Index | 134 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Gaithersburg offers 19% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Des Moines delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Gaithersburg is estimated at
$106,000 vs $45,000 in Des Moines.
| Metric | Gaithersburg | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $64,600 | $54,311 |
| Salary Needed | $106,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 48,209 idx | 59,034 idx |
| Household Income | $112,467 | $63,212 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Gaithersburg | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 65.00% | 64.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Des Moines has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Gaithersburg.
Gaithersburg scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Des Moines leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Gaithersburg | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 60.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 30.0/10 | 50.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 65.00 | 134.40 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Des Moines is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Gaithersburg.
From a growth perspective, Des Moines is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Gaithersburg | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 69,825 | 214,237 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.43% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 34.4 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $34.1B |
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
Des Moines
#14Iowa, USA
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$744
Avg Salary
$54,311
Cost Index
92
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
50.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.20%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
85
Business
80
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