Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Carrollton, TX
VS
Germantown, MD
🏆 Carrollton leads 15 of 20 categories
Carrollton
Texas
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.3⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$95,380
Violent Crime Index
36
Population
132,284 ✓ Larger
Germantown
Maryland
5
wins
Cost of Living Index
108.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$109,268 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
—
Population
90,210
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Carrollton, TX
Pros
Rent averages $353/mo less ($1,555 vs $1,908)
Violent crime is well below the national average (137.1 vs 380/100k)
Homes cost $66k less ($327,300 vs $393,700)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.5 pts lower (3.7%)
Commutes run 9 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 56°F vs 39°F
Cons
Median income trails Germantown by $13,888/yr
Germantown, MD
Pros
Households earn $13,888 more per year on average
More college-educated — 48.9% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 94°F
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,908/mo
Pricier housing — median home is $393,700
Higher unemployment (5.2% vs 3.7%)
Longer commutes — 33.6 min average each way
Key Differences at a Glance
Carrollton
Cost of Living
5% cheaper
COL index 103.3 vs 108.6 (100 = US avg)
Carrollton
Median Home Value
$66k less
$327,300 vs $393,700
Carrollton
Unemployment
1.5 pp lower
3.7% vs 5.2% unemployment
Carrollton
Summer Heat
10.0°F warmer
July avg high 94.3°F vs 84.3°F
Germantown
Median Income
$13,888
$109,268 vs $95,380/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Germantown, MD |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.3⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 108.6⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $327,300⚠ High ✓ Lower | $393,700⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,555⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,908⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $95,380 | $109,268 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% ✓ Lower | 5.2%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 24.4 min ✓ Shorter | 33.6 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 17.8% ✓ Higher | 16.7% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 47 | — |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 36 | — |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 63 | — |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (119) ✓ Better | A- (116) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.5:1 ✓ Smaller | 13.8:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 42.1% | 48.9% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 89.4% | 89.5% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | CARROLLTON-FARMERS BRANCH ISD | Montgomery County Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 55.9°F ✓ Warmer | 39.1°F |
| Avg High — July | 94.3°F ✓ Warmer | 84.3°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.8" ✓ Drier | 46.7" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.1" ✓ Less | 32.6" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 132,284 ✓ Larger | 90,210 |
| Median Age | 38.6 ✓ Older | 36.9 |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.3% | 65.9% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 19.9% | 24.3% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.9% ✓ More | 10.7% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Carrollton's cost of living index is 103.3 vs Germantown's 108.6 (US average = 100).
Carrollton is 5% less expensive overall.
Based on the 20 decided categories above, Carrollton leads 15 of 20 categories. Carrollton wins 15 and Germantown wins 5. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Carrollton to Germantown or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($327,300 vs $393,700 median home), income ($95,380 vs $109,268), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Carrollton, TX and Germantown, MD are about 1,174 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.