Bethesda, MD vs Clinton, MD

The cost of living difference between Bethesda, MD and Clinton, MD is dramatic. Clinton is 68.4% cheaper than Bethesda, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Bethesda has a cost index of 205 while Clinton 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 $1,665/month in Clinton — a 46% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Clinton is more affordable at $400,300 median vs $1,129,700.

Median household income in Bethesda is $191,348 compared to $120,967 in Clinton (+58.2%). The higher salaries in Bethesda partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Bethesda spend roughly 15.3% of their income on rent, less than the 16.5% in Clinton.

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