Living in Bethesda, Maryland
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Bethesda · Census data 2020–2024
Bethesda has 69,397 residents with a median age of 42.8. The median household income is $192,237 (85% higher than the Maryland median), the median home value is $1,169,900, the median rent is $2,469/month.
Bethesda at a glance
- Population
- 69,397
- Median age
- 42.8State: 39.4
- Median household income
- $192,237State: $103,678
- Median home value
- $1,169,900State: $419,900
- Median rent
- $2,469/moState: $1,705
- Homeowners
- 64%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 87.1%
- Average commute
- 28 min
Is Bethesda a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income 85% higher than the Maryland median; an average commute of 28 minutes; unemployment of 3.1%; a poverty rate of 4.3%.
Cons: Home values 179% higher than the state median.
The weather is best in May–June and September–October.
Cost of living in Bethesda
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Bethesda the median home value is $1,169,900, 252% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $2,469 per month, which is 28.7% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $4,001 a month in housing costs.
Bethesda median household income
The median household income in Bethesda is $192,237 and the income per person is $120,363. 4.3% of residents live below the poverty line (Maryland: 9.4%).
Housing in Bethesda: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 30,095
- Owner-occupied
- 64%
- Renter-occupied
- 36%
- Vacant
- 7.2%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1970
- Average household size
- 2.46
Bethesda demographics
- Population
- 69,397
- Median age
- 42.8
- Under 18
- 23.2%
- 65 and older
- 19%
- Households
- 27,937
- Foreign-born
- 26.2%
- Veterans
- 4.6%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Bethesda ›
Education in Bethesda
87.1% of adults 25 and older in Bethesda have a bachelor's degree or higher (Maryland: 43.4%), and 58.1% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Bethesda
- Unemployment rate
- 3.1%State: 4.9%
- Average commute
- 28 minState: 31 min
- Work from home
- 38%
- Drive alone
- 39.8%
- Public transit
- 9.6%
- Walk to work
- 6%
- Homes with broadband
- 97%
Bethesda vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bethesda | 69,397 | $192,237 | $1,169,900 | $2,469 |
| Glen Echo | 276 | $213,750 | $1,163,500 | — |
| Somerset | 1,088 | $250,001 | $1,775,000 | $3,501 |
| Chevy Chase | 2,906 | $250,001 | $1,670,600 | $3,501 |
| Friendship Heights Village | 4,002 | $119,384 | $484,300 | $2,289 |
| Brookmont | 3,671 | $247,150 | $1,361,100 | $2,878 |
| Chevy Chase Section Five | 803 | $250,001 | $1,643,100 | $3,501 |
| Chevy Chase Village | 1,903 | $250,001 | $2,000,001 | $3,501 |
| Chevy Chase Section Three | 887 | $250,001 | $1,605,600 | $3,501 |
More for people moving to Bethesda
Bethesda ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Bethesda: FAQ
What is the median household income in Bethesda, MD?
The median household income in Bethesda is $192,237, 85% higher than the Maryland median of $103,678 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Bethesda?
The median home value in Bethesda is $1,169,900, compared with $419,900 in Maryland.
How much is rent in Bethesda?
The median gross rent in Bethesda is $2,469 per month, about 28.7% of household income.
Is Bethesda, MD a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income 85% higher than the Maryland median; an average commute of 28 minutes; unemployment of 3.1%; a poverty rate of 4.3%. Minuses: home values 179% higher than the state median.
What is the median age in Bethesda?
The median age in Bethesda is 42.8 years (Maryland: 39.4).
How long is the commute in Bethesda?
The average commute to work in Bethesda is 28 minutes; 38% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Bethesda?
The unemployment rate in Bethesda is 3.1% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Bethesda?
87.1% of adults in Bethesda have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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