Beltsville, MD vs Potomac, MD

The cost of living difference between Beltsville, MD and Potomac, MD is dramatic. Beltsville is 37.6% cheaper than Potomac, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Beltsville has a cost index of 130 while Potomac sits at 208, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Beltsville is $1,989/month compared to $2,616/month in Potomac — a 24% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Beltsville is more affordable at $381,100 median vs $1,105,900.

Median household income in Beltsville is $97,115 compared to $239,205 in Potomac (-59.4%). While Potomac is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Beltsville spend roughly 24.6% of their income on rent, more than the 13.1% in Potomac.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (59.3°F vs 59.3°F). Potomac receives more rainfall at 41.8" per year compared to 41.8" in Beltsville.