Getting ready to moving to Bethesda, MD? Bethesda is an unincorporated town in Montgomery County, Maryland, located just seven miles from Washington, D.C. Bethesda took its name from the Pool of Bethesda in Jerusalem, a place known for miracles and recovery. Well, though the town is generally recognized for hosting the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, this very town has a lot more to say.

In this guide, we will cover everything about moving to Bethesda: the economy and education, cost of living, neighborhoods, and amenities.

Table of Contents

Economy and Job Market

Lockheed Martin headquarters in Bethesda, MD

Bethesda is a booming economy founded on various industries. The following is a closer look at what drives this economy in Bethesda.

Major Industries

🏥 Healthсare: Bethesda is chockful of a renowned healthcare network. National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center form the biggest employer in town, providing many jobs for the working class in medicine and for research purposes.

🛡️ Defense: The defense industry forms a strong foundation in the economy of Bethesda. Bethesda is known for being the base of operations for Lockheed Martin. This single corporation offers many thousands of jobs of every variety.

💼 Finance: Marriott International operates in Bethesda, headquartered there, along with Walker & Dunlop, a managed healthcare company.

💻 Technology: Bethesda also hosts several tech firms, contributing to its economic diversity. These companies offer a range of opportunities in IT and engineering.

Fortune 500 Companies

Bethesda is home to many Fortune 500 companies, noting:

Lockheed Martin;
Marriott International;
Walker & Dunlop;
Digital Management, LLC.

All the companies listed above are ranked among the top employers in the US.

Career Opportunities

The job market in Bethesda is highly flexible and diversified to employ almost all types of industry or business categories, as enumerated below:

Healthcare Jobs: There are many career opportunities at NIH and Walter Reed for physicians and scientists and jobs for the ancillary staff.
Defense Sector: Opportunities are abounding in the Capital Region, ranging from systems engineering to administrative jobs, through Lockheed Martin and others from the defense side.
Finance and Business: Significant corporations in Bethesda include Marriott International and Walker & Dunlop, which presents job opportunities in higher and middle management, finance personnel, marketing staff, and operational roles, among others.
Technology Sector: Various tech startups and established firms offer roles in software development, IT support, and cybersecurity.

Average Salaries in Bethesda

In Bethesda, the following examples contain the average salaries, which show that the city has a high standard of working, with an experience of solider benefits coming from the solid economy.

Healthcare Professionals: Average salary of $80,000 – $150,000 per year.
Engineers and IT Professionals: Average salary of $70,000 – $120,000 per year.
Finance and Business Roles: Average salary of $60,000 – $110,000 per year.

Here’s a quick look at the average salaries across major industries:

Industry	Average Salary Range
Healthcare	$80,000 – $150,000
Defense	$75,000 – $130,000
Finance and Business	$60,000 – $110,000
Technology	$70,000 – $120,000

💵 Average Salary in Bethesda, MD: $85k/ year.

Source: 🌐 PayScale – Average Salary in Bethesda, MD

Job Search Websites

For job seekers, here are some useful websites to find employment opportunities in Bethesda:

Notable Quote

Bethesda Green
«All in all, Bethesda boasts many features that make it particularly well-suited to starting a business or organization. From amenities to transportation to the nature of the industries themselves, Bethesda is a modern city that keeps up with the inspiring leaders it houses.»

Cost of Living

Infographic Suggestion: An infographic comparing the cost of living in Bethesda with national and state averages.

Overall, Bethesda has the highest cost of living. The section below details the actual costs of living in Bethesda.

Housing Costs

The bar chart compares the median home price and median monthly rent between Bethesda and the national averages. Bethesda's median home price is $1,172,932 compared to the national average of $358,734. The median monthly rent in Bethesda is $3,532 compared to $2,120 nationally. Bethesda's costs are shown in blue and national averages in gray. — Comparison of Housing Costs in Bethesda vs. National Averages

This section details the actual costs of living in Bethesda. A house is an individual’s most expensive cost when in Bethesda. A home here has a median value of about $1,172,932, while United States average: $358,734. The median rent is $3,532 a month, so accommodation is equally costly for renters.

Housing Type	Bethesda Average	National Average
Median Home Price	$1,172,932	$358,734
Median Rent (per month)	$3,532	$2,120

Sources: Zillow

Utilities and Everyday Expenses

The bar chart compares monthly expenses for Utilities, Groceries, Gasoline, and Local Transport between Bethesda and national averages. Utilities in Bethesda cost $222.47 versus $152.08 nationally. Groceries average $425 in Bethesda compared to $325 nationally. Gasoline is $3.42 per gallon in Bethesda versus $3.00 nationally. Local transport tickets are $3.00 in Bethesda versus $2.50 nationally. Bethesda's costs are shown in blue and national averages in gray. — **Comparison of Monthly Expenses: Bethesda vs. National Averages**

Electricity, heating, cooling, water, and garbage costs for utilities, on average, are over the top in Bethesda. Here’s a breakdown for you:

Utilities: the average cost for utilities like electricity, heating, cooling, water, and garbage is about $222.47 (according to Rentcafe.com);
Groceries: Prices for common items (according to Numbeo):
- Milk (1 liter): $1.09;
- Bread (500 g): $3.68;
- Chicken fillets (1 kg): $8.59;
- Apples (1 kg): $4.58.
Transport: Local transport costs approximately $3.00 for a one-way ticket.

Expense Type	Bethesda Average	National Average
Utilities (monthly)	$222.47	$152.08
Groceries (monthly)	$350 – $500	$250 – $400
Gasoline (per gallon)	$3.42	$3.00
Local Transport Ticket	$3.00	$2.50

Sources: rentcafe.com; numbeo.

Recommended Income for Comfortable Living

🤔 What is a good salary in Bethesda MD?

In Bethesda, average families in the area are required to have an annual earning of $205,560, whereas $82,400 is for single persons to live standard lives. It is so to take care of the relatively expensive housing and daily cost of living standard.

Tips for Managing High Living Costs

Engage in Budgeting: Record your spending habits and make a monthly budget.
Take your housing: Find cheaper housing in the outskirts.
Public transport: Save the transport cost by using the Metrobus and Metrorail systems.
Be a Smart Shopper: Food is going to be cheaper if you purchase from high local markets and discount shops.
Energy Efficient: Lowering the consumption bill can be made possible if you attain energy-efficient appliances and practice it.

Real Estate Websites

For those looking to buy or rent a house in Bethesda, here are some useful websites:

Zillow: Zillow Bethesda Listings
Realtor.com: Realtor Bethesda Listings
Redfin: Redfin Bethesda Listings

💡 Interesting Fact: 

Despite the high cost of living, Bethesda boasts a high median family income of $185,546, making it one of the wealthiest areas in the country.

Neighborhoods

Bethesda offers a variety of neighborhoods, all with something different that is appealing and a distinct selling point. Some of the top choices tend to be: