Gaithersburg, MD vs Lakewood, CA
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.
Gaithersburg
68.7
#1291 nationally
Lakewood
63.1
#1796 nationally
Gaithersburg leads in crime level (6.9 vs 12.4). Gaithersburg leads in cost of living index (141 vs 168). Lakewood leads in walk score (58 vs 52).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Gaithersburg, MD | Lakewood, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 68.7 (#1291) | 63.1 (#1796) |
| Population | 69,563 | 78,135 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $522,428 | $882,830 |
| Median Household Income | $104,544 | $113,030 |
| Average Commute | 30.5 min | 29.8 min |
| Walk Score | 52 | 58 |
| Crime Level | 6.9 | 12.4 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 141 | 168 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+53.3 | D+32.9 |
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 →
D
63.1 Score
Lakewood, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$882,830
Population
78,135
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
58
Pacific
View Lakewood, CA →
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