Bethesda, MD Homes For Rent

Homes for Rent in Bethesda, MD: What You Need to Know

Bethesda is an unincorporated town in Maryland with a population of 60,858. Its strategic location close to Washington, D.C. has fueled its success and serves as a magnet for highly educated newcomers.

A Thriving Job Market

Bethesda boasts of a workforce of more than 43,000 people and the highest concentration of professionals with Ph.D. It’s home to global companies, world-class research institutions, and consulting firms of all sizes. Bethesda is the headquarters of 

Honest Tea, Marriott International and Host Hotels & Resorts, the National Institutes of Health, and Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Other key employers are Lockheed Martin, Johns Hopkins Suburban Hospital, and Clark Construction Group.

The Cost of Living in Bethesda

As can be expected of an affluent community, Bethesda’s cost of living rate and housing costs are 59.6% and 37.1% higher than the national average, respectively. On the bright side, food cost is 0.9% lower than the national average. Median gross rent in Bethesda is $2,004; median two-bedroom apartment rent is $2,701. Maryland levies a state income tax ranging from 2% to 5.75%, plus counties charge a separate 1.75% to 3.20% in income tax. The combination makes Maryland among the states with the highest income taxes.

Know Your Neighborhoods

Bethesda is one big suburb about seven miles away from Washington, D.C. Residents admit that living in Bethesda is pricey, but they also say it’s a beautiful town with great schools and amenities, so it’s worth it. A significant percentage of residents are renters. 

Are you an urbanite at heart? Upstairs at Bethesda Row (UBR) offers the best of downtown living. You can live in a modern apartment upstairs of trendy commercial buildings at the heart of Bethesda’s shopping, dining, and entertainment hub. Rockville, another Washington suburb, is a short drive away. Like Bethesda, it has excellent schools and a big number of renters. 

Shopping in the City

Pike & Rose is a prime shopping destination in Bethesda, thanks to its walkable layout, a wide array of shops and services, a popular farmer’s market, as well as fine restaurants and entertainment venues. Locals also love Bethesda Row, an open-air shopping and dining hub downtown, featuring both national retailers and local brands.

Getting Around in Bethesda

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro for short) serves passengers not only in Washington, D.C., but also in Bethesda and other surrounding areas. Metrorail has 86 stations and 106 miles of track. It has 13 Red Line stations serving Bethesda and Montgomery County in Maryland. Metrobus serves 11,500 bus stops in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.