1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Bethesda, MD
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Bethesda, Maryland as of October 2026. That's +8% lower than the citywide median of $2,971 and +96% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Bethesda
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Bethesda
Compare Bethesda's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in Maryland
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cumberland | $780 |
| 2 | Hagerstown | $910 |
| 3 | Salisbury | $1,100 |
| 4 | Ocean City | $1,132 |
| 5 | Easton | $1,220 |
| 6 | Bladensburg | $1,242 |
| 7 | Temple Hills | $1,323 |
| 8 | Takoma Park | $1,330 |
| 9 | Berlin | $1,340 |
| 10 | Lochearn | $1,357 |
| 11 | Brentwood | $1,373 |
| 12 | Beltsville | $1,382 |
| 13 | Greater Landover | $1,399 |
| 14 | Chillum | $1,419 |
| 15 | Fort Washington | $1,425 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in Maryland
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Potomac | $3,080 |
| 2 | Bethesda (this page) | $2,730 |
| 3 | New Market | $2,590 |
| 4 | Derwood | $2,450 |
| 5 | Chevy Chase | $2,430 |
| 6 | Jessup | $2,410 |
| 7 | Gambrills | $2,390 |
| 8 | Rockville | $2,343 |
| 9 | Hanover | $2,340 |
| 10 | Clinton | $2,320 |
| 11 | Brandywine | $2,300 |
| 12 | Odenton | $2,230 |
| 13 | Lake Arbor | $2,185 |
| 14 | Upper Marlboro | $2,160 |
| 15 | Crofton | $2,140 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Bethesda.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Bethesda |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kensington, MD | 3.8 mi | $2,120 | $-610 (-22%) |
| McLean, VA | 6.2 mi | $2,256 | $-474 (-17%) |
| Silver Spring, MD | 8 mi | $1,627 | $-1,103 (-40%) |
| Takoma Park, MD | 8.8 mi | $1,330 | $-1,400 (-51%) |
| Washington, DC | 9.4 mi | $2,192 | $-538 (-20%) |
| Chillum, MD | 10 mi | $1,419 | $-1,311 (-48%) |
| North Potomac, MD | 10.2 mi | $2,124 | $-606 (-22%) |
| Gaithersburg, MD | 11 mi | $2,027 | $-703 (-26%) |
| Hyattsville, MD | 11.3 mi | $1,880 | $-850 (-31%) |
| Vienna, VA | 11.9 mi | $2,600 | $-130 (-5%) |
| Brentwood, MD | 12.5 mi | $1,373 | $-1,357 (-50%) |
| Lincolnia, VA | 12.9 mi | $2,060 | $-670 (-25%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Bethesda — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Bethesda?
As of October 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Bethesda, Maryland is $2,730 per month. This is +8% below the citywide median of $2,971.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Bethesda?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $109,200 ($9,100/month gross), which works out to roughly $52.50/hour at a full-time job.
Is Bethesda expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Bethesda's 1-bedroom median of $2,730 is +96% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 97th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Bethesda rank for 1-bedroom rent in Maryland?
Among the 91 cities in Maryland with 1-bedroom data, Bethesda ranks #90 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Bethesda?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Kensington ($2,120), McLean ($2,256), Silver Spring ($1,627).