Performance
Score Breakdown
Houston
Gaithersburg
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Houston is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
44% lower compared to Gaithersburg.
Housing costs are a major driver: Houston's average rent is
40% lower than Gaithersburg's.
| Metric | Houston | Gaithersburg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,199 | $1,988 | -40% |
| Groceries | $400 | $757 | -47% |
| Utilities | $180 | $406 | -56% |
| Transport | $120 | $369 | -67% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $119 | +26% |
| Monthly Total | $2,049 | $3,639 | -44% |
| Cost Index | 97 | 134 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Houston offers 52% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Houston delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Houston is estimated at
$55,000 vs $106,000 in Gaithersburg.
| Metric | Houston | Gaithersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $98,122 | $64,600 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $106,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 101,157 idx | 48,209 idx |
| Household Income | $64,361 | $112,467 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Houston | Gaithersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 80.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Gaithersburg scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Houston leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Houston | Gaithersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 30 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/10 | 60.0/10 |
| Walkability | 40.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 77.00 | 65.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Houston is the larger city
— approximately 34.2x 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 | Houston | Gaithersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,390,125 | 69,825 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.20% | 0.43% |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 37.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.40% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $697.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Houston
Advantages
Houston's cost of living is below the national average, particularly for housing.
The city boasts a strong and diversified job market with significant growth in sectors like energy, healthcare, and construction.
Houston is home to the Texas Medical Center, the largest medical center in the world, offering world-class healthcare facilities and expertise.
The metropolitan area's GDP reached a record $697 billion in 2023, leading major U.S. metros in two-year GDP growth.
New business announcements increased by 30% in 2024, indicating a dynamic entrepreneurial environment.
Drawbacks
Houston experiences hot and humid summers with a heat index frequently reaching 100-110°F or higher.
Traffic congestion is a significant issue, with commuters losing an average of 77 hours due to delays in 2024.
The city has a high crime rate compared to many other U.S. communities, with a 1 in 17 chance of becoming a victim of violent or property crime.
Houston is highly car-dependent, with public transportation not being the primary mode of transit for most residents.
While homicides decreased in 2024, overall violent crime increased by 4.57% from 2023 to 2024.
Gaithersburg
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Houston
#31Texas, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,199
Avg Salary
$98,122
Cost Index
97
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
45.0/10
Walkability
40.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.20%
Unemployment
4.40%
Livability
68
Business
78
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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