Studio Apartment Rent in Bethesda, MD
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Bethesda, Maryland as of July 2026. That's +10% lower than the citywide median of $2,971 and +107% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio 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 studio at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Bethesda
Compare Bethesda's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a studio in Maryland
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cumberland | $680 |
| 2 | Hagerstown | $820 |
| 3 | Salisbury | $1,090 |
| 4 | Lochearn | $1,168 |
| 5 | Easton | $1,170 |
| 6 | Bladensburg | $1,198 |
| 7 | Brooklyn Park | $1,250 |
| 8 | Dundalk | $1,250 |
| 9 | Essex | $1,250 |
| 10 | Halethorpe | $1,250 |
| 11 | Westminster | $1,250 |
| 12 | District Heights | $1,262 |
| 13 | Aberdeen | $1,270 |
| 14 | Rossville | $1,270 |
| 15 | Temple Hills | $1,270 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in Maryland
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Potomac | $3,020 |
| 2 | Bethesda (this page) | $2,675 |
| 3 | New Market | $2,530 |
| 4 | Derwood | $2,400 |
| 5 | Olney | $2,380 |
| 6 | Chevy Chase | $2,370 |
| 7 | Rockville | $2,297 |
| 8 | Clinton | $2,270 |
| 9 | Brandywine | $2,250 |
| 10 | Upper Marlboro | $2,115 |
| 11 | Jessup | $2,110 |
| 12 | Gambrills | $2,100 |
| 13 | Lake Arbor | $2,097 |
| 14 | Kensington | $2,080 |
| 15 | Hanover | $2,050 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Bethesda.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Bethesda |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kensington, MD | 3.8 mi | $2,080 | $-595 (-22%) |
| McLean, VA | 6.2 mi | $2,243 | $-432 (-16%) |
| Silver Spring, MD | 8 mi | $1,590 | $-1,085 (-41%) |
| Takoma Park, MD | 8.8 mi | $1,311 | $-1,364 (-51%) |
| Washington, DC | 9.4 mi | $2,145 | $-530 (-20%) |
| Chillum, MD | 10 mi | $1,410 | $-1,265 (-47%) |
| Olney, MD | 10.8 mi | $2,380 | $-295 (-11%) |
| Gaithersburg, MD | 11 mi | $1,983 | $-692 (-26%) |
| Hyattsville, MD | 11.3 mi | $1,840 | $-835 (-31%) |
| Vienna, VA | 11.9 mi | $2,547 | $-128 (-5%) |
| Brentwood, MD | 12.5 mi | $2,017 | $-658 (-25%) |
| Lincolnia, VA | 12.9 mi | $2,020 | $-655 (-24%) |
Studio rent in Bethesda — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Bethesda?
As of July 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Bethesda, Maryland is $2,675 per month. This is +10% below the citywide median of $2,971.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Bethesda?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $107,000 ($8,917/month gross), which works out to roughly $51.44/hour at a full-time job.
Is Bethesda expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Bethesda's studio median of $2,675 is +107% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 98th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Bethesda rank for studio rent in Maryland?
Among the 90 cities in Maryland with studio data, Bethesda ranks #89 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Bethesda?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Kensington ($2,080), McLean ($2,243), Silver Spring ($1,590).