ZIP Code · MD

ZIP 20814

Part of Bethesda, MD
Pop. 32,795·Montgomery County·9th most expensive ZIP in Maryland
Median rent (all units)
$2,852/mo
Year-over-Year
+1.4%
Month-over-Month
Stable
vs US Median
+$920
Reported rents
Stable (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
ZIP 20814 · $2,852
More expensive than 88% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo
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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$2,370
1 BR
$2,440
2 BR
$2,720
3 BR
$3,430
4 BR+
$4,040
Research median
$2,720/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: October 17, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

Cheapest month to sign

February. Asking rents in ZIP 20814 usually run 1.3% below trend in February and 1.1% above it in July, about $68 a month apart at today's median. Based on 11 years of data.

Compared with the peak

Rent in ZIP 20814 is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in March 2015.

Past year vs. the rest of Maryland

Rent in ZIP 20814 changed +1.4% over the year to September 2026. Across the 124 Maryland ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +2.6%.

Rent vs. income since 2019

From 2019 to 2024, rent in ZIP 20814 rose 17.3% while median household income rose 18.7% ($127,223 to $150,996). Income kept ahead of rent.

Since before the pandemic

Rent in ZIP 20814 is 19.3% higher than in March 2020. Across the US, rent is up 37.3% over the same stretch.

Recent direction

Rent has risen 5 months in a row, and rose in 9 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($150,996) is $3,775 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 3-bedroom ($3,430); a 4-bedroom is $4,040.

Cheaper nearby

ZIP 20852, 3 miles away, rents for 20% less ($2,295/mo), about $6,700 a year in savings.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 20814. The seasonal pattern compares Zillow’s seasonally adjusted and unadjusted series. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost
$34,224/yr
At $2,852/mo median
Location
StateMD
CountyMontgomery County
Rent Market Meter
Balanced Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are roughly steady, with neither renters nor landlords holding a strong edge right now.
Based on rent-price momentum (+1.4% YoY, +0.0% MoM), not inventory.
Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 20814 (Bethesda, MD) is roughly split between renters and owners, has a median income above the national average, 84.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
32,795
Median income
$150,996
Median age
39.9
Renters
49.2%
Age distribution
19.6%
21.3%
27.8%
13.3%
17.9%
Under 1819.6%
18–3421.3%
35–5427.8%
55–6413.3%
65+17.9%
Gender
48.7%
51.3%
Male48.7%
Female51.3%
Race & ethnicity
64.5%
13.2%
White64.5%
Black8.9%
Hispanic9.4%
Asian13.2%
Other3.9%
Education (25+)
84.7%
No HS diploma2%
HS diploma4.6%
Some college8.7%
Bachelor's+84.7%
Housing tenure
50.8%
49.2%
Owner50.8%
Renter49.2%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 20814 in Bethesda, MD has changed in 5 years

Rent
$2,289 → $2,852
up 24.6%
Income
$144,655 → $150,996
up 4.4%
Population
29,685 → 32,795
up 10.5%
Renter share
46.9% → 49.2%
+2.3 pts
Bachelor's+
85.3% → 84.7%
-0.6 pts

Compared with 2021, rent in ZIP 20814 in Bethesda, MD has climbed by $563 per month, settling near $2,852 after starting the period at $2,289. On the earnings side, the typical household in ZIP 20814 in Bethesda, MD now reports about $150,996, up from $144,655 in 2021. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 20.2 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 29,685 to 32,795 between 2021 and 2024, a 10.5% change. About 49.2% of households rent today, against 46.9% in 2021. For context, the 2021 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and ZIP 20814 in Bethesda, MD reflects that arc in its own way.

Community

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About renting in ZIP 20814

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 20814 covers Bethesda, MD. The median rent here is $2,852/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $2,440/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $2,720/mo.

At 23% of local median household income ($150,996/yr), ZIP 20814 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 1.4% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 20814?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $114,000/year (about $55/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,852/mo in ZIP 20814. The local median household income is $150,996/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 20814?

Rent in ZIP 20814 has risen 1.4% over the past year as of September 2026. That is the highest level since Zillow's records here began in March 2015.

When is the cheapest time to rent in ZIP 20814?

Asking rents in ZIP 20814 are usually lowest in February, about 1.3% below their yearly trend, and highest in July, about 1.1% above it. At today's median that is a gap of roughly $68 a month. This pattern comes from 11 years of Zillow rent data.

Has rent outpaced income in ZIP 20814?

No. From 2019 to 2024, rent in ZIP 20814 rose 17.3% while median household income rose 18.7%, from $127,223 to $150,996. Rent is Zillow's yearly average; income is the Census 5-year estimate for the same years.

How does ZIP 20814 compare to other ZIPs in Maryland?

ZIP 20814 is one of the pricier among Maryland ZIP codes for rent, ranking #9 of 140 at $2,852/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 20814 changed +1.4%, against a typical +2.6% across the 124 Maryland ZIP codes Zillow tracks.

How does ZIP 20814 compare to the rest of Bethesda?

At $2,852/mo, ZIP 20814 is $119 below the Bethesda citywide median of $2,971/mo.
Income Affordability
23%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $2,852/mo, rent takes ~23% of ZIP 20814's median household income ($150,996/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

ZIP 20814 23%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2–5.75%
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