| Index | North Bethesda | Maryland | National |
| Cost of living | 162 | 121 | 100 |
| Groceries | 107 | 105 | 100 |
| Health care | 109 | 109 | 100 |
| Housing | 287 | 151 | 100 |
| Transportation | 109 | 109 | 100 |
| Utilities | 109 | 108 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 109 | 109 | 100 |
| Household Items | 105 | 105 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 114 | 112 | 100 |
Knowing the cost of living in North Bethesda allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in North Bethesda stands at 162, marking it 62% higher than the national average.
If you value affordability in your search for a new place to live, North Bethesda may not be the most suitable option, as it stands out as one of the priciest areas in the entire United States. Only a small fraction of regions have a cost of living that is more than 20% higher than the national average, and regrettably, North Bethesda falls into this category, which may not align with your desire for an affordable place to call home.
Housing costs are a very significant part of the North Bethesda cost of living index and generally encompass a large percentage of take-home income. Unfortunately, in this area, the housing costs for both homes and rentals were 187% more than the average city. This includes things like home and rent prices, mortgage rates and insurance.
Is North Bethesda affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take North Bethesda, for instance, where the median home price falls 222.9% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 103.4% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with North Bethesda flaunting a median household income of $166,479, 104.7% higher than the national norm.
Taxes: Locations with elevated tax rates, encompassing both sales and income taxes, can be a factor in driving up the cost of living. When you're paying more in taxes for everyday household expenses, it naturally translates into higher expenses. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can also contribute to an overall higher cost of living. In North Bethesda, the standard sales tax rate starts at 6%, and the income tax rates commence at 2%.
Subsidies: Some areas might offer government subsidies or assistance programs that help lower cost of living for residents. These programs can include anything from Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and crop subsidies. Areas that offer less subsidies, could see an increase in their cost of living.
Healthcare: Healthcare expenditures and insurance premium rates can vary significantly, contingent upon the particular city or state. Factors such as the accessibility of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs, and expenses related to specialized medical care can all have an impact on the overall cost of living. In North Bethesda, healthcare costs are 8.5% higher than the national average.
The cost of living data for North Bethesda shown above is based on a U.S. average baseline score of 100, making it easier to compare how far your dollar may go from one city to another. Housing uses U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all remaining values are AI-assisted estimates informed by regional pricing, climate, transportation dynamics, and local economic factors. These scores are best used for directional comparisons between cities.
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| Groceries index | |
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| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $227,720 | $18,977 | $5,313 | $6,832 |
| Renters | $132,126 | $11,011 | $3,083 | $3,964 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Maryland | 6% | 6% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Maryland | 2% | 5.75% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Wakefield town, VA | 838 | 92 | 8.4% |
| Cottage City, MD | 1,193 | 105 | 5.5% |
| Silver Hill, MD | 5,346 | 132 | 31.6% |
| Seat Pleasant, MD | 4,929 | 132 | 32.1% |
| Capitol Heights, MD | 4,609 | 134 | 34.2% |
| North Bethesda, MD | 51,238 | 162 | 62.1% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Mishawaka, IN | 51,230 | 87 | 12.5% |
| Lakewood, OH | 51,262 | 94 | 6.2% |
| Plainfield, NJ | 51,295 | 122 | 21.5% |
| Enid, OK | 51,301 | 88 | 11.9% |
| Poway, CA | 51,311 | 179 | 78.8% |
| North Bethesda, MD | 51,238 | 162 | 62.1% |
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