Cost of Living in Bethesda, MD - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,365 (excluding rent), and $3,383 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $3,209 (excluding rent), and $6,458 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$16.4 $16.4

$10.93 $10.93

$59.6 $59.6

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$78.7 $78.7

$59.1 $59.1

$207 $207

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.81 $7.81

$9.76 $9.76

Cappuccino

$5.84 $5.84

$4.12 $4.12

$8.24 $8.24

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.53 $2.53

$2.03 $2.03

$3.04 $3.04

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.32 $2.32

$2.02 $2.02

$4.03 $4.03

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.86 $5.86

$2.93 $2.93

$11.73 $11.73

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.89 $7.89

$4.93 $4.93

$15.77 $15.77

Milk (1 liter)

$1.19 $1.19

$0.91 $0.91

$1.83 $1.83

White Bread (500g)

$3.87 $3.87

$2.15 $2.15

$5.37 $5.37

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.98 $3.98

$1.81 $1.81

$7.57 $7.57

Eggs

$4.35 $4.35

$2.01 $2.01

$10.55 $10.55

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.62 $8.62

$5.42 $5.42

$21.69 $21.69

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$10.66 $10.66

$5.91 $5.91

$17.48 $17.48

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$12.8 $12.8

$8.96 $8.96

$22.39 $22.39

Apples (1kg)

$4.71 $4.71

$2.26 $2.26

$5.67 $5.67

Banana (1kg)

$1.41 $1.41

$0.9 $0.9

$4.51 $4.51

Oranges (1kg)

$4.07 $4.07

$3.47 $3.47

$10.91 $10.91

Tomato (1kg)

$4.29 $4.29

$2.93 $2.93

$6.75 $6.75

Potato (1kg)

$2.22 $2.22

$1.34 $1.34

$5.6 $5.6

Onion (1kg)

$2.66 $2.66

$1.97 $1.97

$4.35 $4.35

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.22 $2.22

$0.98 $0.98

$2.96 $2.96

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.99 $1.99

$0.59 $0.59

$4.89 $4.89

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$13.75 $13.75

$11.78 $11.78

$14.73 $14.73

Wine (Bottle)

$16.31 $16.31

$8.4 $8.4

$24.72 $24.72

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.78 $1.78

$1.76 $1.76

$4.41 $4.41

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.15 $3.15

$1.38 $1.38

$6.9 $6.9

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$3.03 $3.03

$3.53 $3.53

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$101 $101

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$5.14 $5.14

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.39 $1.39

$3.04 $3.04

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$34.42 $34.42

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.84 $0.84

$0.76 $0.76

$1.01 $1.01

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$22.9K $22.9K

$35.3K $35.3K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$25.5K $25.5K

$24K $24K

$27K $27K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$249 $249

$199 $199

$298 $298

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$39.64 $39.64

$20.33 $20.33

$183 $183

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$83.2 $83.2

$79.4 $79.4

$89.3 $89.3

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$144 $144

$81.4 $81.4

$206 $206

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$29.86 $29.86

Cinema Ticket

$15.14 $15.14

$18.17 $18.17

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$3,162 $3,162

$2,291 $2,291

$4,980 $4,980

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$65K $65K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$71.2 $71.2

$25.42 $25.42

$102 $102

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$57.3 $57.3

$20.22 $20.22

$70.8 $70.8

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$98.8 $98.8

$61.1 $61.1

$153 $153

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$146 $146

$74.7 $74.7

$258 $258

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,245 $2,245

$1,996 $1,996

$2,595 $2,595

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,893 $1,893

$1,724 $1,724

$2,029 $2,029

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,084 $4,084

$2,729 $2,729

$9,098 $9,098

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,221 $3,221

$3,051 $3,051

$3,560 $3,560

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$5,923 $5,923

$5,336 $5,336

$6,403 $6,403

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$5,353 $5,353

$4,279 $4,279

$6,428 $6,428

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$8,541 $8,541

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.75

6.19

7.5

Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: November 24, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

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Cost of Living in Bethesda, MD - Frequently Asked Questions

Bethesda sits on the higher end of the suburban spectrum within the DC metro area. The Cost of Living in Bethesda, MD, United States reflects strong access to amenities, safety, and top-tier services, which often translates to higher housing costs and dining prices than rural or inland towns. For travelers and digital nomads, this means budgeting for comfortable accommodation and occasional dining out, while leveraging shared workspaces and shorter commutes can help control expenses. Public transit links to downtown DC reduce car dependence, and neighborhoods near Bethesda Row offer walkable options for everyday errands. Tip: Map a weekly plan that blends workdays with nearby nature spots to stretch your budget.

Daily life in Bethesda blends suburb calm with easy access to city resources. For housing, search a mix of garden rentals, townhomes, and mid-rise buildings; longer leases can bring better rates and include utilities or amenities. Food options span from reliable grocers to farmers markets and range from casual to refined eateries, with neighborhood heat and variety shaping weekly budgets. Transport hinges on Metro access and reliable bus routes, plus cycling for local trips. Bethesda, MD, United States living cost rises with proximity to the core, so pick a neighborhood that matches your work schedule and social tempo. Tip: Use a monthly budget template that tracks housing, food, and transit to spot savings.

To maximize value, build a flexible budgeting framework that highlights fixed costs (housing, utilities) and variable expenses (food, transit). Favor neighborhoods with a mix of peaceful residential streets and easy access to transit, parks, and coworking spaces. Consider shoulder-season travel, off-peak dining, and buying in bulk at local markets to lower weekly spend. Cycling or public transit can cut car-related costs, while occasional work-sessions at libraries or community centers saves on space. Scan for neighborhoods with a social mix that matches work rhythms and downtime. Tip: Keep a seasonal calendar to anticipate price shifts in groceries and transport.