City Comparison

Baltimore vs Gaithersburg: How they compare

Baltimore is a waterfront city with a rich cultural identity, world-class healthcare institutions, and diverse neighborhoods. Gaithersburg is a diverse city along the I-270 corridor in Montgomery County. The details differ. Here is the sourced context for price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and reported crime data.

Market Overview

Baltimore's median sold price is $275K with homes averaging 41 days on market; Gaithersburg is at $515K and 34 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). Gaithersburg is pricier ($515K median vs $275K), a difference of about $240K. Gaithersburg moves faster, with homes averaging 34 days on market compared to 41 in Baltimore. Baltimore offers a lower entry point at $50K–$1.5M.

Baltimore

MD

Gaithersburg

MD

Median Sold Price

12 months through Aug 2026

$275K

$515K

Avg Days on Market

12 months through Aug 2026

41 days

34 days

Price Range

$50K–$1.5M

$175K–$1.2M

Notable Neighborhoods

Canton, Fells Point, Federal Hill, Roland Park

Kentlands, Lakelands, Quince Orchard, Washington Square

Schools

Baltimore has a 55% average SOL pass rate; Gaithersburg has 76% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Baltimore include Baltimore Polytechnic Institute and Baltimore City College; in Gaithersburg, Quince Orchard High School and Gaithersburg High School. See Baltimore schools | See Gaithersburg schools

Baltimore

MD

Gaithersburg

MD

Avg Pass Rate

55%

76%

Public schools

Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, Baltimore City College, Western High School

Quince Orchard High School, Gaithersburg High School, Ridgeview Middle School

These are district-wide assessment results. Verify current school assignments, boundaries, and programs with each local district for a specific address.

Commute

Gaithersburg is closer to downtown at ~35 minutes vs ~65 minutes. Gaithersburg has 1 Metro station, including Shady Grove on the Red line. Major highway access: Baltimore (I-95, I-695, I-83), Gaithersburg (I-270, I-370, Rt 355).

Baltimore

MD

Gaithersburg

MD

Drive to Downtown

~65 min

~35 min

Metro Stations

No Metro access

1 Metro station (nearest: Shady Grove)

Metro Lines

N/A

Red

Major Highways

I-95, I-695, I-83, I-295, Rt 1

I-270, I-370, Rt 355, Rt 28

Commuter Rail

MARC (Penn Line, Camden Line)

MARC (Brunswick Line)

Walkability

Baltimore is more walkable with a Walk Score of 65 (Somewhat Walkable), compared to 42 in Gaithersburg. Transit scores: Baltimore (52) vs Gaithersburg (32). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Canton and Kentlands score much higher than suburban areas.

Baltimore

MD

Gaithersburg

MD

Walk Score

65Somewhat Walkable
42Car-Dependent

Transit Score

52

32

Bike Score

58

45

Reported Crime Data

The cited public datasets report city-level violent- and property-crime rates for Baltimore and Gaithersburg. These historical figures do not describe a specific address or predict an individual's experience. Review the source period and local agency information for current context.

Baltimore

MD

Gaithersburg

MD

Reported Violent Crime

11.2/1K

1.3/1K

Reported Property Crime

28.5/1K

15.1/1K

MD

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Related Comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Baltimore or Gaithersburg more affordable?

Baltimore is more affordable with a median sold price of $275K, compared to $515K in Gaithersburg (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). Both cities offer a wide range of housing options, from condos and townhomes to single-family homes. Baltimore prices range from $50K–$1.5M. Gaithersburg prices range from $175K–$1.2M.

What are the public-school pass rates in Baltimore and Gaithersburg?

Baltimore public schools have a 55% average SOL pass rate; Gaithersburg has 76% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Baltimore include Baltimore Polytechnic Institute and Baltimore City College; in Gaithersburg, Quince Orchard High School and Gaithersburg High School. Pass rates reflect district-wide assessment results; check the specific assigned schools for any address.

Which is easier to commute from, Baltimore or Gaithersburg?

Gaithersburg has the shorter commute to downtown at ~35 minutes vs ~65 minutes. Baltimore has no direct Metro access. Gaithersburg has Metro access (Shady Grove).

How do Baltimore and Gaithersburg compare?

Baltimore is a waterfront city with a rich cultural identity, world-class healthcare institutions, and diverse neighborhoods. Gaithersburg is a diverse city along the I-270 corridor in Montgomery County. The right choice depends on your priorities: budget, commute length, home types, and neighborhood feel. smover lets you compare agent profiles and available transaction records in either city.

Median sold prices and days on market are 12-month aggregates of settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026. School data from Virginia DOE, Maryland MSDE, and DC OSSE public reports. Property tax rates from Virginia Dept. of Taxation (2024). Walkability scores from Walk Score (2024). Crime data from FBI UCR and Virginia State Police (2023). Commute times are approximate rush-hour estimates. Updated September 2026.

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