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. Both are strong options, but the details matter. Here is how they compare across price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and safety.

Market Overview

Gaithersburg's median sold price is $520K with homes averaging 32 days on market; Springfield is at $690K and 22 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Jul 2026). Springfield is pricier ($690K median vs $520K), a difference of about $170K. Springfield moves faster, with homes averaging 22 days on market compared to 32 in Gaithersburg. Gaithersburg offers a lower entry point at $175K–$1.2M.

Gaithersburg

MD

Springfield

VA

Median Sold Price

12 months through Jul 2026

$520K

$690K

Avg Days on Market

12 months through Jul 2026

32 days

22 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

Pass Rate

76%
82%

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

Safety

Springfield is rated "Safe" with a total crime rate 36% below Virginia average. Gaithersburg is rated "Average" (Near Virginia average). Both cities compare favorably to the Virginia state average. Crime rates vary by neighborhood, so check specific areas when house hunting.

Gaithersburg

MD

Springfield

VA

Safety Rating

Average
Safe

Violent Crime

1.3/1K

0.7/1K

Property Crime

15.1/1K

10.1/1K

vs Virginia Avg

Near Virginia average

36% below Virginia average

MD

Find agents in Gaithersburg

Browse verified agents with real sales data in Gaithersburg.

View agents

VA

Find agents in Springfield

Browse verified agents with real sales data in Springfield.

View agents

Decided between Gaithersburg and Springfield? See how buying a home works on smover.

Related Comparisons

See how other nearby cities stack up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Gaithersburg or Springfield more affordable?

Gaithersburg is more affordable with a median sold price of $520K, compared to $690K in Springfield (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Jul 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 can connect you with a verified agent in either city.

Median sold prices and days on market are 12-month aggregates of settled sales in smover's records, through Jul 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 July 2026.

Stay ahead of the market

Join buyers, sellers, and agents across Northern Virginia getting weekly market updates, new listings, and tips. Free, every Monday.

Trusted in Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, and 19 more cities

Unsubscribe anytime. We respect your inbox.

Take ownership of your move.

You choose the home, the agent, the lender. We take care of everything in between.

Gaithersburg vs Springfield: $520K vs $690K (2026) | smover