Median Age
43 Years
Largest Age Group
50-59 Years
Approximately 14% of Residents
Under 20
23%
Over 65
21%
Bethesda
Bethesda, MD Area Guide
Avg Rent
$2,431
Population
69,366
Renter Mix
40% Rent
A trendy suburban hub near DC
Suburban
•
Entertainment
•
Public Transportation
•
Welcome to Bethesda, Maryland, located just northwest of Washington, D.C. This established community combines metropolitan conveniences with tree-lined streets and an active arts scene. The walkable downtown area features both high-rise apartments and garden-style rentals, with current average rents ranging from $1,916 for studios to $7,595 for four-bedroom units. The rental market remains competitive, showing steady growth with increases between 0.5% to 7.9% across different unit sizes over the past year. The Woodmont Triangle neighborhood and Bethesda Row area each offer their own distinct character, with local shops and restaurants within walking distance.
Bethesda serves as a significant medical research center, home to both the National Institutes of Health and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. The Capital Crescent Trail provides miles of paved paths for walking, running, and cycling, while downtown Bethesda features independent theaters and galleries. The Metro's Red Line connects residents directly to Washington, D.C., making commuting straightforward. Originally established around the Bethesda Meeting House in 1820, the community maintains its historical roots while embracing modern development. The annual Bethesda Row Arts Festival continues to be a cornerstone event, bringing artists and art enthusiasts together each fall.
Explore the City
The popular Bethesda Row is a walkable mixed-use area located downtown.
North Bethesda is home to the prestigious Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
It's always tee time at Woodhaven's Burning Tree Golf Club.
Find solace in nature along Glen Echo's C&O Canal, a haven for outdoor enthusiasts.
Woodmont Triangle is the hub of nightlife in downtown Bethesda.
From small boutiques to major retailers, Bethesda Row has it all in Downtown Bethesda.
Demographics
Median Household Income
$175,588
Average: $189,788
Education
44,869
Residents Have a Degree
Job Market
38,224
Workers Employed
Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.
Housing Distribution
Bethesda has more homeowners than renters.
Renters
40%
Non-Renters
60%
Education Distribution
Review this city's overall education levels.
Bachelor's or Higher
62%
Other Education
38%
Rent Trends
As of May 2026, the average apartment rent in Bethesda, MD is $1,962 for a studio, $2,446 for one bedroom, $3,445 for two bedrooms, and $5,124 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Bethesda has decreased by -0.4% in the past year.
Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$2,446/month
756 Sq Ft
House
$6,464/month
3,011 Sq Ft
Condo
$2,424/month
959 Sq Ft
Townhome
$5,381/month
2,041 Sq Ft
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Bethesda, MD is 34.4% higher than the national average. Generally, housing in Bethesda is 95.4% more expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $1,962 - $5,124. You can expect to pay 8.8% more for groceries, 9.9% more for utilities, and 0.4% more for transportation.
Compare Cities
Getting Around
Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Bethesda, MD is for everyday living.
Moderately Walkable
Walkability
60
/ 100
Limited Public Transit
Transit
30
/ 100
Moderately Drivable
Drivability
70
/ 100
Fairly Bikeable
Bikeability
50
/ 100
Scores provided by
Schools
Public
Grades PK-5
611 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
611 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
386 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
386 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
810 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
1,241 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
845 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
845 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
1,110 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
1,110 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
2,942 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
2,942 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
2,018 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
2,018 Students
Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School
Public
Grades 9-12
2,335 Students
School data provided by
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
Points of Interest
Shopping Centers
Parks and Recreation
- Glen Echo Park
- Audubon Naturalist-Woodend Sanctuary
- McCrillis Gardens
- Locust Grove Nature Center
- George Washington Memorial Parkway/Turkey Run Park
Transit / Subway
Commuter Rail
Military Bases
Airports
- Ronald Reagan Washington Ntl
- Washington Dulles International
Top Apartments in Bethesda
Houses for Rent in Bethesda
Property Management Companies in Bethesda, MD
Bozzuto
-
376
Communities
-
116,183
Units
-
151
Cities
13 Communities in Bethesda
Blackstone
-
218
Communities
-
71,470
Units
-
121
Cities
6 Communities in Bethesda
Donohoe
-
64
Communities
-
7,860
Units
-
11
Cities
4 Communities in Bethesda
Greystar
-
3,507
Communities
-
965,041
Units
-
893
Cities
3 Communities in Bethesda
Residential One
-
17
Communities
-
3,204
Units
-
10
Cities
2 Communities in Bethesda
WC Smith
-
14
Communities
-
2,896
Units
-
3
Cities
2 Communities in Bethesda
Search Nearby Rentals
Nearby City Rentals
Nearby Neighborhood Rentals
Nearby House Rentals
Nearby City Guides
Methodology
† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in February 2026.
Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.