City Comparison

Gaithersburg vs Vienna: How they compare

Gaithersburg is a diverse city along the I-270 corridor in Montgomery County. Vienna offers a small-town atmosphere with big-city proximity, the W&OD Trail, downtown shops, and address-based Fairfax County Public Schools assignments. 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; Vienna is at $1.1M and 31 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). Vienna is pricier ($1.1M median vs $515K), a difference of about $608K. Vienna moves faster, with homes averaging 31 days on market compared to 34 in Gaithersburg. Gaithersburg offers a lower entry point at $175K–$1.2M.

Gaithersburg

MD

Vienna

VA

Median Sold Price

12 months through Aug 2026

$515K

$1.1M

Avg Days on Market

12 months through Aug 2026

34 days

31 days

Price Range

$175K–$1.2M

$500K–$2.5M

Notable Neighborhoods

Kentlands, Lakelands, Quince Orchard, Washington Square

Downtown Vienna, Westwood Hills, Vienna West, Bowman Heights

Schools

Gaithersburg has a 76% average SOL pass rate; Vienna has 92% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Gaithersburg include Quince Orchard High School and Gaithersburg High School; in Vienna, James Madison High School and Thoreau Middle School. See Gaithersburg schools | See Vienna schools

Gaithersburg

MD

Vienna

VA

Avg Pass Rate

76%

92%

Public schools

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

James Madison High School, Thoreau Middle School, Wolftrap Elementary

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

Commute

Vienna is closer to downtown at ~25 minutes vs ~35 minutes. Gaithersburg has 1 Metro station, including Shady Grove on the Red line. Vienna has 1 Metro station, including Vienna/Fairfax-GMU on the Orange line. Major highway access: Gaithersburg (I-270, I-370, Rt 355), Vienna (I-66, Rt 123, Rt 29).

Gaithersburg

MD

Vienna

VA

Drive to Downtown

~35 min

~25 min

Metro Stations

1 Metro station (nearest: Shady Grove)

1 Metro station (nearest: Vienna/Fairfax-GMU)

Metro Lines

Red

Orange

Major Highways

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

I-66, Rt 123, Rt 29

Commuter Rail

MARC (Brunswick Line)

None

Walkability

Vienna is more walkable with a Walk Score of 42 (Car-Dependent), compared to 42 in Gaithersburg. Transit scores: Gaithersburg (32) vs Vienna (30). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Kentlands and Downtown Vienna score much higher than suburban areas.

Gaithersburg

MD

Vienna

VA

Walk Score

42Car-Dependent
42Car-Dependent

Transit Score

32

30

Bike Score

45

48

Reported Crime Data

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

Vienna

VA

Reported Violent Crime

1.3/1K

0.4/1K

Reported Property Crime

15.1/1K

7.2/1K

MD

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Gaithersburg or Vienna more affordable?

Gaithersburg is more affordable with a median sold price of $515K, compared to $1.1M in Vienna (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. Vienna prices range from $500K–$2.5M.

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

Gaithersburg public schools have a 76% average SOL pass rate; Vienna has 92% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Gaithersburg include Quince Orchard High School and Gaithersburg High School; in Vienna, James Madison High School and Thoreau Middle School. Pass rates reflect district-wide assessment results; check the specific assigned schools for any address.

Which is easier to commute from, Gaithersburg or Vienna?

Vienna has the shorter commute to downtown at ~25 minutes vs ~35 minutes. Gaithersburg has Metro access (Shady Grove). Vienna has Metro access (Vienna/Fairfax-GMU).

How do Gaithersburg and Vienna compare?

Gaithersburg is a diverse city along the I-270 corridor in Montgomery County. Vienna offers a small-town atmosphere with big-city proximity, the W&OD Trail, downtown shops, and address-based Fairfax County Public Schools assignments. 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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