Gaithersburg, MD vs Lancaster, 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
Lancaster
61.5
#1905 nationally
Gaithersburg leads in crime level (6.9 vs 22.9). Gaithersburg leads in walk score (52 vs 29). Gaithersburg leads in median household income ($104,544 vs $71,367).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Gaithersburg, MD | Lancaster, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 68.7 (#1291) | 61.5 (#1905) |
| Population | 69,563 | 166,236 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $522,428 | $465,459 |
| Median Household Income | $104,544 | $71,367 |
| Average Commute | 30.5 min | 30.9 min |
| Walk Score | 52 | 29 |
| Crime Level | 6.9 | 22.9 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 141 | 126 |
| 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-
61.5 Score
Lancaster, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$465,459
Population
166,236
Crime
High
Walk Score
29
Pacific
View Lancaster, CA →
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