Bethesda, MD vs Chillum, MD

The cost of living difference between Bethesda, MD and Chillum, MD is dramatic. Chillum is 67.4% cheaper than Bethesda, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Bethesda has a cost index of 205 while Chillum sits at 122, 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 Bethesda is $2,437/month compared to $1,733/month in Chillum — a 41% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Chillum is more affordable at $383,900 median vs $1,129,700.

Median household income in Bethesda is $191,348 compared to $78,513 in Chillum (+143.7%). While Bethesda is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Bethesda spend roughly 15.3% of their income on rent, less than the 26.5% in Chillum.

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