City Comparison

Gaithersburg vs Springfield: How they compare

Gaithersburg is a diverse city along the I-270 corridor in Montgomery County. Springfield sits at the crossroads of I-95 and the Fairfax County Parkway, offering unmatched commuter access. The details differ. Here is the sourced context for price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and reported crime data.

Market Overview

Gaithersburg's median sold price is $515K with homes averaging 34 days on market; Springfield is at $689K and 23 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). Springfield is pricier ($689K median vs $515K), a difference of about $174K. Springfield moves faster, with homes averaging 23 days on market compared to 34 in Gaithersburg. Gaithersburg offers a lower entry point at $175K–$1.2M.

Gaithersburg

MD

Springfield

VA

Median Sold Price

12 months through Aug 2026

$515K

$689K

Avg Days on Market

12 months through Aug 2026

34 days

23 days

Price Range

$175K–$1.2M

$210K–$1.7M

Notable Neighborhoods

Kentlands, Lakelands, Quince Orchard, Washington Square

West Springfield, North Springfield, Saratoga, Kings Park

Schools

Gaithersburg has a 76% average SOL pass rate; Springfield has 82% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Gaithersburg include Quince Orchard High School and Gaithersburg High School; in Springfield, West Springfield High School and Robert E. Lee High School. See Gaithersburg schools | See Springfield schools

Gaithersburg

MD

Springfield

VA

Avg Pass Rate

76%

82%

Public schools

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

West Springfield High School, Robert E. Lee High School, Irving Middle School

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

Commute

Springfield is closer to downtown at ~30 minutes vs ~35 minutes. Gaithersburg has 1 Metro station, including Shady Grove on the Red line. Springfield has 1 Metro station, including Franconia-Springfield on the Blue line. Major highway access: Gaithersburg (I-270, I-370, Rt 355), Springfield (I-95, I-395, I-495).

Gaithersburg

MD

Springfield

VA

Drive to Downtown

~35 min

~30 min

Metro Stations

1 Metro station (nearest: Shady Grove)

1 Metro station (nearest: Franconia-Springfield)

Metro Lines

Red

Blue

Major Highways

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

I-95, I-395, I-495, Franconia-Springfield Pkwy

Commuter Rail

MARC (Brunswick Line)

None

Walkability

Gaithersburg is more walkable with a Walk Score of 42 (Car-Dependent), compared to 32 in Springfield. Transit scores: Gaithersburg (32) vs Springfield (28). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Kentlands and West Springfield score much higher than suburban areas.

Gaithersburg

MD

Springfield

VA

Walk Score

42Car-Dependent
32Car-Dependent

Transit Score

32

28

Bike Score

45

38

Reported Crime Data

The cited public datasets report city-level violent- and property-crime rates for Gaithersburg and Springfield. 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.

Gaithersburg

MD

Springfield

VA

Reported Violent Crime

1.3/1K

0.7/1K

Reported Property Crime

15.1/1K

10.1/1K

MD

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Gaithersburg or Springfield more affordable?

Gaithersburg is more affordable with a median sold price of $515K, compared to $689K in Springfield (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. Gaithersburg prices range from $175K–$1.2M. Springfield prices range from $210K–$1.7M.

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

Gaithersburg public schools have a 76% average SOL pass rate; Springfield has 82% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Gaithersburg include Quince Orchard High School and Gaithersburg High School; in Springfield, West Springfield High School and Robert E. Lee High School. Pass rates reflect district-wide assessment results; check the specific assigned schools for any address.

Which is easier to commute from, Gaithersburg or Springfield?

Springfield has the shorter commute to downtown at ~30 minutes vs ~35 minutes. Gaithersburg has Metro access (Shady Grove). Springfield has Metro access (Franconia-Springfield).

How do Gaithersburg and Springfield compare?

Gaithersburg is a diverse city along the I-270 corridor in Montgomery County. Springfield sits at the crossroads of I-95 and the Fairfax County Parkway, offering unmatched commuter access. 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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