2-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Bethesda, MD
Median asking rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Bethesda, Maryland as of October 2026. That's +4% higher than the citywide median of $2,971 and +86% above the national 2-bedroom median of $1,657.
Income needed for a 2-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 2-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 2-bedroom in Maryland
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cumberland | $970 |
| 2 | Hagerstown | $1,200 |
| 3 | Easton | $1,350 |
| 4 | Ocean City | $1,375 |
| 5 | Bladensburg | $1,396 |
| 6 | Salisbury | $1,440 |
| 7 | Lochearn | $1,449 |
| 8 | Temple Hills | $1,489 |
| 9 | Berlin | $1,490 |
| 10 | Takoma Park | $1,496 |
| 11 | Beltsville | $1,556 |
| 12 | Greater Landover | $1,575 |
| 13 | Fort Washington | $1,600 |
| 14 | Oxon Hill | $1,740 |
| 15 | Brooklyn Park | $1,750 |
Most expensive cities for a 2-bedroom in Maryland
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Potomac | $3,470 |
| 2 | Bethesda (this page) | $3,075 |
| 3 | Jessup | $2,950 |
| 4 | Gambrills | $2,930 |
| 5 | New Market | $2,910 |
| 6 | Hanover | $2,860 |
| 7 | Derwood | $2,760 |
| 8 | Odenton | $2,730 |
| 9 | Chevy Chase | $2,730 |
| 10 | Rockville | $2,640 |
| 11 | Crofton | $2,620 |
| 12 | Clinton | $2,610 |
| 13 | Brandywine | $2,590 |
| 14 | Ellicott City | $2,530 |
| 15 | Elkridge | $2,530 |
Nearby cities — 2-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 2-bedroom rents than Bethesda.
| City | Distance | 2-Bedroom rent | vs Bethesda |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kensington, MD | 3.8 mi | $2,390 | $-685 (-22%) |
| McLean, VA | 6.2 mi | $2,542 | $-533 (-17%) |
| Silver Spring, MD | 8 mi | $1,832 | $-1,243 (-40%) |
| Takoma Park, MD | 8.8 mi | $1,496 | $-1,579 (-51%) |
| Washington, DC | 9.4 mi | $2,467 | $-608 (-20%) |
| Chillum, MD | 10 mi | $1,821 | $-1,254 (-41%) |
| North Potomac, MD | 10.2 mi | $2,267 | $-808 (-26%) |
| Gaithersburg, MD | 11 mi | $2,283 | $-792 (-26%) |
| Hyattsville, MD | 11.3 mi | $2,120 | $-955 (-31%) |
| Vienna, VA | 11.9 mi | $2,930 | $-145 (-5%) |
| Brentwood, MD | 12.5 mi | $1,831 | $-1,244 (-40%) |
| Lincolnia, VA | 12.9 mi | $2,320 | $-755 (-25%) |
2-Bedroom rent in Bethesda — common questions
How much is a 2-bedroom apartment in Bethesda?
As of October 2026, the median 2-bedroom apartment rent in Bethesda, Maryland is $3,075 per month. This is +4% higher than the citywide median of $2,971.
What income do you need to afford a 2-bedroom in Bethesda?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $123,000 ($10,250/month gross), which works out to roughly $59.13/hour at a full-time job.
Is Bethesda expensive for a 2-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Bethesda's 2-bedroom median of $3,075 is +86% above the national 2-bedroom median of $1,657. It ranks in the 95th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Bethesda rank for 2-bedroom rent in Maryland?
Among the 91 cities in Maryland with 2-bedroom data, Bethesda ranks #90 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 2-bedroom options near Bethesda?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 2-bedroom rents include Kensington ($2,390), McLean ($2,542), Silver Spring ($1,832).