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City Report · MD

Bethesda

Pop. 69,397·5th most expensive in Maryland·One of the pricier rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$2,971/mo
Year-over-Year
+3.8%
Month-over-Month
+2.5%
vs US Median
+$1,006
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Bethesda · $2,971
More expensive than 90% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
44/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 3% above what Bethesda's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.

Actual rent
$2,971/mo
Expected by trend
$2,879/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Bethesda's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$2,675
1 BR
$2,730
2 BR
$3,075
3 BR
$3,845
4 BR+
$4,535
Research median
$3,075/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$35,652/yr
At $2,971/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 3.8% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+3.8% YoY, +2.5% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Bethesda, MD is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 87.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
69,397
Median income
$192,237
Median age
42.8
Renters
36%
Age distribution
23.2%
17.4%
27.3%
13.1%
19%
Under 1823.2%
18–3417.4%
35–5427.3%
55–6413.1%
65+19%
Gender
47.9%
52.1%
Male47.9%
Female52.1%
Race & ethnicity
67.5%
12.8%
White67.5%
Black6.4%
Hispanic9.6%
Asian12.8%
Other3.7%
Education (25+)
87.1%
No HS diploma2%
HS diploma3.2%
Some college7.7%
Bachelor's+87.1%
Housing tenure
64%
36%
Owner64%
Renter36%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Bethesda, MD has changed in 5 years

Rent
$2,312 → $2,971
up 28.5%
Income
$178,370 → $192,237
up 7.8%
Population
66,294 → 69,397
up 4.7%
Renter share
34.4% → 36%
+1.6 pts
Bachelor's+
87.9% → 87.1%
-0.8 pts

Rent in Bethesda, MD has increased 28.5% since 2021, going from about $2,312 per month to roughly $2,971 today. Census figures show median household income at $192,237 today, compared with $178,370 five years earlier. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 20.7 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 66,294 to 69,397 between 2021 and 2024, a 4.7% change. About 36% of households rent today, against 34.4% in 2021. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2021.

Community

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View Bethesda rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Bethesda on your salary?

At $2,971/mo, how Bethesda rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Bethesda rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Bethesda. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Bethesda

About renting in Bethesda, MD

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Bethesda is $2,971/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,675/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $3,075/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,730/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,845/mo.

At 19% of local median household income ($192,237/yr), Bethesda ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 3.8% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Bethesda an affordable city for renters?

Bethesda is considered very affordable for renters. At $2,971/mo, rent takes approximately 19% of the local median household income ($192,237/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Bethesda falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Bethesda?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $119,000/year (~$57/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,971/mo in Bethesda. The local median household income is $192,237/yr, meaning the typical Bethesda household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Bethesda?

Rent in Bethesda has increased 3.8% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Bethesda neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Bethesda are 20814 ($2,786/mo), and 20817 ($3,485/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Bethesda is $2,971/mo.

How does Bethesda rent compare to other cities in Maryland?

Bethesda is one of the pricier cities in Maryland for rent, ranking #5 out of 95 tracked cities at $2,971/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Bethesda?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Bethesda ($2,971/mo): Rockville ($2,426/mo), McLean ($2,769/mo), Chevy Chase ($2,788/mo).

What percentage of Bethesda residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 36% of Bethesda households are renters, while 64% are owner-occupied. Bethesda leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Bethesda rent compare to the national average?

Bethesda's median rent of $2,971/mo is $1,006 (51%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Maryland, it ranks #5 out of 95 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
19%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $2,971/mo, rent takes ~19% of Bethesda's median household income ($192,237/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Bethesda 19%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2–5.75%
Run the Bethesda affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Bethesda
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Bethesda, MD

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