salaryRent here is among the highest 10% in the country. Household incomes are higher than in 97% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 5.6 years of household income. It is a highly educated city: 87.1% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $112,080 a year. That is $54 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Maryland cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Maryland. It is number 176 of 200 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Bethesda?
Share of households by yearly income. 65.8% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Bethesda
| Size | Bethesda | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,909 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,322 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,816 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,500+ | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,500+ | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Bethesda overall?
Everyday prices in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metro area are 9% above the U.S. average (index 108.9, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Bethesda
Life in Bethesda
What jobs pay in Bethesda
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | $195,190 | 17.2% |
| Operations Manager | $156,460 | 21.5% |
| Software Developer | $154,930 | 21.7% |
| Pharmacist | $150,540 | 22.3% |
| Physician Assistant | $148,200 | 22.7% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $134,840 | 24.9% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $127,040 | 26.5% |
| Dental Hygienist | $119,170 | 28.2% |
| Registered Nurse | $102,710 | 32.7% |
| Accountant | $102,140 | 32.9% |
| Civil Engineer | $101,780 | 33.0% |
| Market Research Analyst | $87,160 | 38.6% |
| Police Officer | $84,000 | 40.0% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $79,470 | 42.3% |
| Electrician | $75,930 | 44.3% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $75,860 | 44.3% |
| HVAC Technician | $71,920 | 46.8% |
| Plumber | $71,860 | 46.8% |
| Firefighter | $66,980 | 50.2% |
| Carpenter | $60,800 | 55.3% |
| Truck Driver | $59,820 | 56.2% |
| Medical Assistant | $46,640 | 72.1% |
| Customer Service Representative | $46,220 | 72.7% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $46,040 | 73.0% |
| Nursing Assistant | $45,730 | 73.5% |
| Restaurant Cook | $42,920 | 78.3% |
| Warehouse Worker | $42,590 | 78.9% |
| Retail Salesperson | $36,610 | 91.8% |
| Cashier | $35,470 | 94.8% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Bethesda?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $5,315 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $1,169,900 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $116,990 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Bethesda, MD?
Renting in Bethesda costs a median of about $2,802 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Maryland median is $2,010.
How much do I need to make to live in Bethesda?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $112,080 a year, or $54 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Bethesda cheap or expensive?
Bethesda is rated Cheap: rent takes 16.2% of the typical household income of $207,328. It ranks 176th cheapest of 200 Maryland cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Bethesda?
The median homeowner in Bethesda pays $10,000+ a year in property taxes, about 0.85% of the median home value.
Is Bethesda more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 9% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Bethesda?
The median home value in Bethesda is $1,169,900, about 5.6 times the typical yearly household income.
69,397 people live in Bethesda. Numbers are typical (middle) values.