3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Bethesda, MD
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in Bethesda, Maryland as of October 2026. That's +29% higher than the citywide median of $2,971 and +81% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-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 3-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 3-bedroom in Maryland
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cumberland | $1,280 |
| 2 | Hagerstown | $1,650 |
| 3 | Ocean City | $1,662 |
| 4 | Bladensburg | $1,747 |
| 5 | Temple Hills | $1,862 |
| 6 | Takoma Park | $1,868 |
| 7 | Easton | $1,890 |
| 8 | Carney | $1,900 |
| 9 | Salisbury | $1,900 |
| 10 | Beltsville | $1,949 |
| 11 | Greater Landover | $1,967 |
| 12 | Fort Washington | $2,004 |
| 13 | Oxon Hill | $2,006 |
| 14 | New Carrollton | $2,007 |
| 15 | Lochearn | $2,043 |
Most expensive cities for a 3-bedroom in Maryland
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Potomac | $4,340 |
| 2 | Bethesda (this page) | $3,845 |
| 3 | Jessup | $3,800 |
| 4 | Gambrills | $3,770 |
| 5 | Hanover | $3,680 |
| 6 | New Market | $3,640 |
| 7 | Odenton | $3,510 |
| 8 | Derwood | $3,450 |
| 9 | Chevy Chase | $3,410 |
| 10 | Crofton | $3,370 |
| 11 | Rockville | $3,303 |
| 12 | Ellicott City | $3,260 |
| 13 | Elkridge | $3,260 |
| 14 | Clinton | $3,260 |
| 15 | Brandywine | $3,240 |
Nearby cities — 3-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 3-bedroom rents than Bethesda.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs Bethesda |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kensington, MD | 3.8 mi | $2,990 | $-855 (-22%) |
| McLean, VA | 6.2 mi | $3,180 | $-665 (-17%) |
| Silver Spring, MD | 8 mi | $2,292 | $-1,553 (-40%) |
| Takoma Park, MD | 8.8 mi | $1,868 | $-1,977 (-51%) |
| Washington, DC | 9.4 mi | $3,086 | $-759 (-20%) |
| Chillum, MD | 10 mi | $2,075 | $-1,770 (-46%) |
| North Potomac, MD | 10.2 mi | $2,660 | $-1,185 (-31%) |
| Gaithersburg, MD | 11 mi | $2,857 | $-988 (-26%) |
| Hyattsville, MD | 11.3 mi | $2,650 | $-1,195 (-31%) |
| Vienna, VA | 11.9 mi | $3,663 | $-182 (-5%) |
| Lincolnia, VA | 12.9 mi | $2,900 | $-945 (-25%) |
| College Park, MD | 13.5 mi | $2,472 | $-1,373 (-36%) |
3-Bedroom rent in Bethesda — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in Bethesda?
As of October 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in Bethesda, Maryland is $3,845 per month. This is +29% higher than the citywide median of $2,971.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in Bethesda?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $153,800 ($12,817/month gross), which works out to roughly $73.94/hour at a full-time job.
Is Bethesda expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Bethesda's 3-bedroom median of $3,845 is +81% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 95th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Bethesda rank for 3-bedroom rent in Maryland?
Among the 90 cities in Maryland with 3-bedroom data, Bethesda ranks #89 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near Bethesda?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 3-bedroom rents include Kensington ($2,990), McLean ($3,180), Silver Spring ($2,292).