Crystal, MN vs Gaithersburg, MD
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Crystal
75
#509 nationally
Gaithersburg
68.7
#1291 nationally
Crystal leads in cost of living index (105 vs 141). Crystal leads in average commute (24 min vs 30.5 min). Gaithersburg leads in median household income ($104,544 vs $86,288).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Crystal, MN | Gaithersburg, MD |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 75 (#509) | 68.7 (#1291) |
| Population | 21,906 | 69,563 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $323,618 | $522,428 |
| Median Household Income | $86,288 | $104,544 |
| Average Commute | 24 min | 30.5 min |
| Walk Score | 44 | 52 |
| Crime Level | 7.7 | 6.9 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 105 | 141 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+42.6 | D+53.3 |
C
75 Score
Crystal, MN
Small Minnesota city with local appeal
Median Home
$323,618
Population
21,906
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
44
Midwest
View Crystal, MN →
D+
68.7 Score
Gaithersburg, MD
Maryland community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$522,428
Population
69,563
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
52
Northeast
View Gaithersburg, MD →
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