Cost of Living in Bethesda, MD
| Cost of Living in Bethesda, MD | Compared to State Average | Compared to National Average |
|---|---|---|
| Housing (Buy and Rent) | 39% higher | 86% higher |
| Utilities (Monthly) | 1% lower | 11% higher |
| Food | 1% higher | 9% higher |
| Healthcare | 16% higher | 16% higher |
| Transportation | 1% higher | 1% higher |
| Goods & Services | 1% higher | 9% higher |
The cost of living in Bethesda, MD is 14% higher than the state average and 31% higher than the national average. Bethesda, MD housing is 86% more expensive than the U.S average, while utilities are about 11% pricier. When it comes to basic necessities such as food and clothing, groceries are around 9% pricier in Bethesda, MD than in the rest of the country, while clothing costs around 9% more .
Healthcare services such as doctor check-ups and dentistry cost 16% more here compared to the U.S. average. At the same time, non-necessary expenses such as entertainment and grooming services are 9% pricier in Bethesda, MD.
Housing is the most significant expense for most American households. The cost of living in a certain city takes into account both the price of rent and the price of a home. The average monthly rent in Bethesda is $2,803, while home prices circle around $1,013,426.
Both owning and renting come with utility expenses. These costs include basic services such as energy and telecommunications. In Bethesda, energy bills cost around $243.59 per month.
Food is the most important necessity and its cost varies around the country. This section includes the prices of everyday foods such as produce, meat and dairy. A bottle of milk costs about $4.74 in Bethesda, a dozen eggs go for around $4.38 and a pound of potatoes circles around $4.74.
The benchmark for this category is based on the prices of family doctor visits and specialized services such as optometry. In Bethesda, an optometry check-up costs around $200.41, while a dentist appointment is priced $135.34 on average.
Transportation expenses depend on multiple factors, with fuel being the most important. A gallon of gas is priced around $3.34 in Bethesda, while getting your tires balanced will run you about $61.39.
The cost of clothing tells you how much more or less money you need to buy basic items such as jeans, shirts or slacks in a new city. A men's shirt costs around $37.25 here. Meanwhile, a pair of women's slacks will set you back around $39.40.
The cost of entertainment and everyday services is based on common expenses in each category. For a movie ticket in Bethesda, you should budget around $18.69 a month. When it comes to personal services, a haircut usually goes for $40.72, while dry cleaning costs about $18.40.
The cost of living also takes median household income into account, so you can estimate how much more or less you could be earning in a new city by comparing it to the income in your current area. In Bethesda, the median household income is $192,237.