Chevy Chase, MD vs Fort Washington, MD

The cost of living difference between Chevy Chase, MD and Fort Washington, MD is dramatic. Fort Washington is 47.9% cheaper than Chevy Chase, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Chevy Chase has a cost index of 235 while Fort Washington sits at 159, 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 Chevy Chase is $3,264/month compared to $2,724/month in Fort Washington — a 20% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fort Washington is more affordable at $464,300 median vs $1,193,000.

Median household income in Chevy Chase is $213,764 compared to $145,942 in Fort Washington (+46.5%). The higher salaries in Chevy Chase partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Chevy Chase spend roughly 18.3% of their income on rent, less than the 22.4% in Fort Washington.

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