City Comparison
North Bethesda vs Bel Air South
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
North Bethesda scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
North Bethesda
Bel Air South
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Bel Air South is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
8% lower than in North Bethesda.
Housing costs are a major driver: North Bethesda's average rent is
10% higher than Bel Air South's.
| Metric | North Bethesda | Bel Air South | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,400 | $2,187 | +10% |
| Groceries | $450 | $400 | +13% |
| Utilities | $180 | $220 | -18% |
| Transport | $120 | $180 | -33% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $150 | +67% |
| Monthly Total | $3,400 | $3,137 | +8% |
| Cost Index | 128 | 117 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
North Bethesda offers 32% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, North Bethesda delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in North Bethesda is estimated at
$65,000 vs $65,000 in Bel Air South.
| Metric | North Bethesda | Bel Air South |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $82,000 | $62,200 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $65,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 64,063 idx | 53,162 idx |
| Household Income | $129,092 | $123,653 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
North Bethesda runs warmer on average — a 56.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, North Bethesda comes out ahead with 234 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — North Bethesda sees 15.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | North Bethesda | Bel Air South |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 56.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 85.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 26.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 46.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 15.30 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 234 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 80.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
North Bethesda scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, North Bethesda leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | North Bethesda | Bel Air South |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 31 min |
| Transit Score | 68.0/100 | 16.0/100 |
| Walkability | 70.0/100 | 22.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | 60.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Bel Air South is the larger city
— approximately 0.8x the population of North Bethesda.
From a growth perspective, Bel Air South is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Bel Air South has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | North Bethesda | Bel Air South |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 50,806 | 60,008 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.87% | 1.30% |
| Median Age | 40.7 | 38.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 3.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
North Bethesda
Advantages
Median household income stands at an affluent $129,092 per year per U.S. Census Bureau data
Direct access to Washington, D.C. via multiple WMATA Red Line Metro stations
High concentration of residents with graduate or professional degrees exceeding 40%
Vibrant mixed-use urban centers like Pike & Rose offering premier dining, retail, and arts
Crime rates well below national averages supporting a secure community environment
Drawbacks
Overall cost of living and housing expenses run roughly 28% to 32% higher than the national average
Average monthly apartment rent exceeds $2,400, creating affordability hurdles for lower-income renters
Traffic congestion along Rockville Pike and major commuter corridors during peak hours
High property tax and real estate acquisition costs relative to the national baseline
Competitive rental and housing markets with limited inventory for low-to-moderate-income families
Bel Air South
Advantages
Bel Air South boasts a high median household income of $123,653 as of 2024, significantly exceeding national averages.
The community has an exceptional Livability Score of 82/100, indicating a high quality of life.
Home prices in Bel Air South have shown strong appreciation, with a 12.5% increase in median home prices by May 2026 compared to the previous year.
The area benefits from a strong job market, particularly in education, healthcare, and the defense/technology sectors due to its proximity to Aberdeen Proving Ground.
Access to comprehensive healthcare facilities like UM Upper Chesapeake Medical Center Bel Air and MedStar Health at Bel Air Medical Center ensures quality medical care.
Drawbacks
Bel Air South's cost of living is estimated to be 17% higher than the national average, primarily driven by housing and utility costs.
The community is highly car-dependent, with low Walk (22/100) and Transit (16/100) scores, indicating minimal public transportation options.
Crime rates in Bel Air South are reported to be 12% higher than the national average, with violent crimes 13% higher.
The violent crime rate of 6.6 per 1,000 residents is significantly higher than the national average of 3.6.
Utility costs, particularly electricity, are higher than both the Maryland and national averages.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
North Bethesda
#385Maryland, USA
59.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,400
Avg Salary
$82,000
Cost Index
128
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
68.0/100
Walkability
70.0/100
Sunny Days
234/yr
Avg Temp
56.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.87%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
83
Business
78
Bel Air South
#443Maryland, USA
55.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,187
Avg Salary
$62,200
Cost Index
117
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
16.0/100
Walkability
22.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.30%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
82
Business
75
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