| Index | Gaithersburg | Maryland | National |
| Cost of living | 141 | 121 | 100 |
| Groceries | 104 | 105 | 100 |
| Health care | 112 | 109 | 100 |
| Housing | 211 | 151 | 100 |
| Transportation | 115 | 109 | 100 |
| Utilities | 112 | 108 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 108 | 109 | 100 |
| Household Items | 107 | 105 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 119 | 112 | 100 |
Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Gaithersburg? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Gaithersburg stands at 141, making it 41% higher than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.
If affordability is among your top priorities when searching for a new place to live, this area may not be the ideal fit, as the cost of living in Gaithersburg is among the most expensive in the United States. Just a minority of areas exhibit a cost of living at least 20% higher than the national average, and unfortunately, Gaithersburg falls into this category, which may not align with your goal of finding a budget-friendly living environment.
When it comes to the cost of living in Gaithersburg, housing costs are a real heavyweight, often hogging a significant chunk of your earnings. Sadly, in this area, housing expenses for both buying and renting were 111.3% more expensive compared to your average city. That means you'll be shelling out more for homes, rents, mortgage rates and insurance.
The real experts on a city are its residents. That's why we reached out to 14 locals to get their views on the cost of living in Gaithersburg. We surveyed the residents and asked them if they felt like prices were affordable or out of reach. The results were as follows. 36% found it budget-friendly with decreasing prices, while 64% said it's simply not affordable as prices have continued to rise.
Is Gaithersburg affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Gaithersburg, the median home price is 121.9% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 86.6% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Gaithersburg boasting a median household income of $134,733, 65.7% higher than the national average.
Subsidies: Some cities and states may extend government subsidies or aid programs aimed at reducing the cost of living for their residents. These initiatives encompass diverse forms of support, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farm subsidies. Regions with limited subsidy provisions may witness an increase in their overall cost of living.
Taxes: Areas with higher taxes, including sales taxes and income taxes, can contribute to a higher cost of living. Paying more tax for everyday household expenses like clothing and food will result in higher costs, as will paying a higher rate of income tax. The general sales tax rate in Gaithersburg starts at 6% and the income tax rates start at 2%.
Housing: A sought-after location with high housing demand often leads to increased property values and rental rates, which can significantly inflate the overall cost of living. Conversely, areas with low housing demand, particularly in less desirable locales, tend to experience the opposite effect, causing prices to drop and contributing to a more affordable cost of living. In Gaithersburg, the housing index stands at 111.3% higher than the national average.
The cost of living data for Gaithersburg shown above is based on a U.S. average baseline score of 100, making it easier to compare how far your dollar may go from one city to another. Housing uses U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all remaining values are AI-assisted estimates informed by regional pricing, climate, transportation dynamics, and local economic factors. These scores are best used for directional comparisons between cities.
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| Groceries index | |
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| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
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| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $189,044 | $15,754 | $4,411 | $5,672 |
| Renters | $100,753 | $8,396 | $2,351 | $3,023 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Maryland | 6% | 6% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Maryland | 2% | 5.75% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Cottage City, MD | 1,193 | 105 | 5.5% |
| Langley Park, MD | 19,837 | 118 | 17.9% |
| Leisure World, MD | 9,569 | 119 | 19.1% |
| Bladensburg, MD | 9,756 | 119 | 19.1% |
| Colmar Manor, MD | 1,428 | 121 | 21.1% |
| Gaithersburg, MD | 69,801 | 141 | 40.6% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| St. Cloud, MN | 69,805 | 96 | 3.7% |
| Waterloo, IA | 70,052 | 88 | 12.3% |
| Granby, QC | 69,530 | n/a | |
| Grande Prairie, AB | 69,512 | n/a | |
| Jackson, TN | 69,498 | 93 | 7.3% |
| Gaithersburg, MD | 69,801 | 141 | 40.6% |
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