What are the schools like in North Bethesda, MD?

North Bethesda is served primarily by Montgomery County Public Schools. The district operates 138 elementary schools, 40 middle schools, and 29 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 13.8:1.

What is the median household income in North Bethesda?

The median household income in North Bethesda, MD is $131,142 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 3.2%.

What is the weather like in North Bethesda, MD?

North Bethesda has an average high temperature of 42.2°F in January and 87.1°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 46.3 inches and annual snowfall averages 5.8 inches.

North Bethesda, MD Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is North Bethesda, MD affordable or expensive?

North Bethesda's cost of living index is 109, where 100 represents the national average. This means North Bethesda is 9% more expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $714,500 and the median rent is $2,180 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in North Bethesda, MD?

Crime rate data for North Bethesda is not currently available from the FBI's reported data.

Is North Bethesda, MD a Good Place to Live?

North Bethesda is a small city of 49,763 in Maryland, with a median household income of $131,142 and a 3.2% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 109 (US average = 100), which is 9% above the national average.

Strengths: North Bethesda stands out for solid school ratings (A), a well-educated population.

Trade-offs: Potential downsides include high home prices, longer commutes. Whether North Bethesda is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All North Bethesda city data on this page comes from official government sources — the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.

Cost of Living

Index: 108.6

North Bethesda's overall cost of living index is 108.6, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in North Bethesda costs roughly 9% more than the average American city.

Metric	North Bethesda, MD	National Avg
Median Home Value	$714,500	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$2,180	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	49.2%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$131,142	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Crime data for North Bethesda is not currently available from the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program. Not all local agencies report to the UCR each year.

Schools & Education

North Bethesda is served primarily by Montgomery County Public Schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.8:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	North Bethesda, MD	National Avg
School District	Montgomery County Public Schools	—
Elementary Schools	138	—
Middle Schools	40	—
High Schools	29	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	13.8:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	72.7%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	93.9%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

North Bethesda sees average highs of 42.2°F in January and 87.1°F in July, with 46.3 inches of annual precipitation and 5.8 inches of snow per year.

Metric	North Bethesda, MD
Average High — January	42.2°F
Average High — July	87.1°F
Annual Precipitation	46.3"
Annual Snowfall	5.8"

Demographics

Metric	North Bethesda, MD	National Avg
Population	49,763	—
Median Age	40.2	38.9
Unemployment Rate	3.2%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	30.2 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	58.3%	59.3%
Black or African American	10.8%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	10.1%	18.9%
Asian	15.9%	6.3%
Under 18	18.8%	22.2%
65 and over	16.9%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Garrett Park, MD 1 mi Chevy Chase View, MD 2 mi Kensington, MD 3 mi North Kensington, MD 3 mi South Kensington, MD 3 mi

ZIP Codes in North Bethesda

North Bethesda, MD is covered by 1 ZIP code:

20852

North Bethesda vs Other Cities

North Bethesda, MD vs Garrett Park, MD North Bethesda, MD vs Chevy Chase View, MD North Bethesda, MD vs Kensington, MD North Bethesda, MD vs North Kensington, MD North Bethesda, MD vs South Kensington, MD

Frequently Asked Questions

Is North Bethesda, MD affordable or expensive?

North Bethesda's cost of living index is 109, where 100 is the national average. That puts North Bethesda roughly 9% above the national average in cost. The median home price is $714,500 and median rent is $2,180/month.

What is the crime rate in North Bethesda, MD?

Crime data for North Bethesda is not available in the current FBI UCR reporting year. Not all jurisdictions submit data annually.

What are the schools like in North Bethesda?

Public schools in North Bethesda are operated by Montgomery County Public Schools. The district has 138 elementary, 40 middle, and 29 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.8:1. 72.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is North Bethesda, MD a good place to live?

North Bethesda, MD has a population of 49,763, a median household income of $131,142, and an unemployment rate of 3.2%. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.

What is the weather like in North Bethesda?

North Bethesda averages 42.2°F in January and 87.1°F in July. Annual rainfall is 46.3 inches with about 5.8 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in North Bethesda?

North Bethesda, MD is covered by 1 ZIP code: 20852.

What is the population of North Bethesda?

The population of North Bethesda, Maryland is 49,763 with a median age of 40.2. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in North Bethesda?

Key numbers for living in North Bethesda: cost of living index 109 (100 = US average), median home $714,500, median household income $131,142, schools rated A. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare North Bethesda side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.