2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Washington, DC vs Bethesda, MD

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Highlights
Are people in Bethesda older or younger than people in Washington?
- The Median Age in Bethesda is 8.7 years older than in Washington.

Are housing costs cheaper in Bethesda or Washington?
- Bethesda housing costs are 66.2% more expensive than Washington housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Bethesda or Washington?
- The average commute for residents of Bethesda is 0.7 minutes shorter than it is for residents of Washington.

Things to do in Washington?
Washington D.C. is a vibrant city full of history and culture. Visit the iconic landmarks like the White House, the Lincoln Memorial, or the Smithsonian Museums - all within walking distance of each other. Explore famous monuments such as The Washington Monument or take a tour of Capitol Hill and experience our nation's political history firsthand. With its dynamic nightlife scene, world-class restaurants, and abundance of art and cultural institutions, Washington D.C. has something to offer every kind of traveler!

Things to do in Bethesda?
Bethesda, Maryland is an incredible city located just northwest of Washington D.C. This beautiful city offers plenty for visitors to explore such as the stunning Glen Echo Park or the charming Cabin John Regional Park. Residents here also take advantage of all the outdoor activities available at Acorn Urban Park, Little Falls Creek Stream Valley, and Capital Crescent Trail. With its excellent school systems, thriving businesses, and numerous recreational opportunities, it's no wonder why so many people choose to make Bethesda their home.

 Washington, DCBethesda, MDUnited States
 Population  Unlock66,294329,725,481
 Median Income$93,547  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock4338.4
 Avg. Home Price$644,900  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock5.7%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time30.04  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Washington    97 Reviews

Over 4 years ago

Living in DC long term brings on a kind of insidious misery. A long, slow, simmering down of any natural optimism or desire for a better future. It’s a leach of a town  More

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Over 5 years ago

Parts are beautiful but alot is rundown and ghetto. They always show the monuments and upper nw neighborhoods but never show hoods across the Anacostia River. Crime is  More

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Moved to DC 40 years ago from Mpls-St. Paul. DC is an amazing town. Downside is people are very competitive, everything is expensive. Great restaurants, foodie heaven  More

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Reviews for Bethesda    12 Reviews

Bethesda is awesome if you want to live near DC and in a relatively safe city that has few parking issues. Montgomery county has parking lots in downtown Bethesda and  More

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Amenities are plentiful, but costs continue to rise as do local and state taxes. Overall not a friendly place to  More

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Essentially an upscale suburb of Washington DC. Public transport is easy, there's plenty to do (though with none of the edginess of living closer in DC) and it's minutes  More

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