Cost of Living in Bethesda, MD
Cost indexes, living wages, and fair market rents — 2024 Data
Cost of Living Overview
Overall Index
273.7
100 = national avg
+173.7 vs national average
Living Wage (1 Adult)
$120,450
per year
Living Wage (Family of 4)
$284,699
per year
Cost Index by Category
Housing393.5
Food196.3
Transportation166.7
Healthcare177.0
Utilities200.0
100 = national average. Higher = more expensive.
Fair Market Rent
Source: HUD1 Bedroom
$2,015
per month
2 Bedroom
$2,246
per month
The overall cost of living index in Bethesda is 273.7, which is 173.7% above the national average. Housing costs are above the national average at an index of 393.5. A single adult needs to earn approximately $120,450 per year to cover basic expenses.