City Comparison
North Bethesda vs Towson
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Towson scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
North Bethesda
Towson
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Towson is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
17% lower than in North Bethesda.
Housing costs are a major driver: North Bethesda's average rent is
30% higher than Towson's.
| Metric | North Bethesda | Towson | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,400 | $1,850 | +30% |
| Groceries | $450 | $420 | +7% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $130 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $230 | +9% |
| Monthly Total | $3,400 | $2,810 | +21% |
| Cost Index | 128 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
North Bethesda offers 14% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Towson 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 $62,000 in Towson.
| Metric | North Bethesda | Towson |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $82,000 | $72,000 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $62,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 64,063 idx | 64,286 idx |
| Household Income | $129,092 | $101,320 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Towson sees 0.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | North Bethesda | Towson |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 56.40°F | 55.40°F |
| Summer High | 85.00°F | 83.80°F |
| Winter Low | 26.10°F | 25.40°F |
| Rainfall | 46.10 in | 51.50 in |
| Snowfall | 15.30 in | 15.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 234 | 238 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Towson has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to North Bethesda.
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 | Towson |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 25 min |
| Transit Score | 68.0/100 | 37.0/100 |
| Walkability | 70.0/100 | 50.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | 48.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Towson is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of North Bethesda.
From a growth perspective, North Bethesda is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, North Bethesda has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | North Bethesda | Towson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 50,806 | 58,257 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.87% | 0.33% |
| Median Age | 40.7 | 33.6 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 4.20% |
| 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
Towson
Advantages
Median household income stands at a robust $101,320, reflecting strong local economic vitality per Census data.
Home to top-tier healthcare systems including GBMC and UM St. Joseph Medical Center.
Vibrant educational presence anchored by Towson University and Goucher College.
Abundant retail and dining choices centered around the prominent Towson Town Center.
Proximity to scenic outdoor recreational areas like Lake Roland Park and regional trail networks.
Drawbacks
Housing market competition is intense, with median property values reaching approximately $469,000.
Overall cost of living is notably higher than the national baseline, driven primarily by housing premiums.
Car dependency is high outside of the immediate downtown commercial core.
Traffic congestion along major commercial corridors like York Road during peak hours can lengthen commutes.
Rental options can be tight and expensive due to high demand from students and young professionals.
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
Towson
#325Maryland, USA
60.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,850
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
112
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
37.0/100
Walkability
50.0/100
Sunny Days
238/yr
Avg Temp
55.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.33%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
77
Business
72
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