Gaithersburg, MD vs Normal, IL
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
Normal
76.8
#316 nationally
Normal leads in average commute (17.2 min vs 30.5 min). Gaithersburg leads in median household income ($104,544 vs $63,965). Normal leads in cost of living index (97 vs 141).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Gaithersburg, MD | Normal, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 68.7 (#1291) | 76.8 (#316) |
| Population | 69,563 | 52,618 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $522,428 | $269,069 |
| Median Household Income | $104,544 | $63,965 |
| Average Commute | 30.5 min | 17.2 min |
| Walk Score | 52 | 40 |
| Crime Level | 6.9 | 9.0 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 141 | 97 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+53.3 | D+4.9 |
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 →
C
76.8 Score
Normal, IL
Illinois community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$269,069
Population
52,618
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
40
Midwest
View Normal, IL →
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