Manageable

What Salary Do You Need to Live in Bethesda?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Bethesda, you need to earn at least $35,000/year based on estimated fair market rent data. The median household income here is $37,000, which means the typical resident is $2,000 above the threshold.

Census ACS Data Pop. 1,237

Salary Required by Bedroom Size

Bedroom	Monthly Rent	Monthly Income	Annual Salary	vs. Median
Studio	$613	$2,043	$24,520	$-12,480
1 Bedroom	$726	$2,420	$29,040	$-7,960
2 Bedroom BENCHMARK	$875	$2,917	$35,000	$-2,000
3 Bedroom	$1,068	$3,560	$42,720	+$5,720
4 Bedroom	$1,313	$4,377	$52,520	+$15,520

Affordability Breakdown

Where the required salary line crosses above Bethesda's median income — housing becomes unaffordable for the typical resident.

Required Salary Median Income

Income vs. Rent Snapshot

Median Income

$37,000

Annual household

2BR Required Salary

$35,000

Under 30% rule

Income Gap

+$2,000

Surplus

Verdict

Manageable

Ratio: 28.4%

The 30% Rule Calculator

Enter your annual salary to see what you can afford in Bethesda

Your Annual Salary

Pre-filled with Bethesda's median household income

Max monthly rent you can afford$925

Studio

$613/mo

1 BR

$726/mo

2 BR

$875/mo

3 BR

$1,068/mo

4 BR

$1,313/mo

Your salary is $0 above the median income in Bethesda.

Salary Comparison by Bedroom

Bars left of the marker line are affordable for Bethesda's median earner. Bars to the right require above-median income.

Affordable Above Median Median Income

What This Means If You're Moving to Bethesda

Bethesda is borderline manageable — the difference between required salary and median income is just $2,000. This means most households can technically afford a 2-bedroom, but have very little breathing room for savings or emergencies.

Downsizing to a 1-bedroom ($726/month) or studio ($613/month) materially improves the math. For those needing more space, a 3-bedroom in Bethesda pushes the required income to $42,720.

For comfortable living in Bethesda without financial stress, target a household income of at least $52,500 — this accounts for rent being approximately 30% of take-home pay while leaving adequate room for Ohio's cost of living.

Economic Outlook

Local Job Market & Housing Dynamics

Affording rent isn't just about housing prices—it's heavily dependent on local employment opportunities and the strength of the job market in Bethesda, Ohio.

With a total population of 1,237, the city supports an active civilian workforce of 518 people. A strong employment base often indicates a stable economy, which is crucial when committing to a lease requiring a $35,000 annual salary. The ratio of employed residents to the total population provides insight into the local economic health and competition for both jobs and housing.

Employed Workforce

518

Active civilian employees in Bethesda

Frequently Asked Questions About Renting in Bethesda

What salary do I need to live in Bethesda, Ohio?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Bethesda under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of at least $35,000. The median household income in Bethesda is $37,000.

Can I afford a 2-bedroom in Bethesda on $37,000?

The affordability verdict for Bethesda is "Manageable". The rent-to-income ratio is 28.4%, meaning median earners have a $2,000 surplus.

What is the average rent in Bethesda compared to median income?

The median gross rent in Bethesda is $726/month. With a median household income of $37,000, residents spend approximately 28.4% of their income on rent.

What salary do I need for a studio in Bethesda?

A studio in Bethesda rents for approximately $613/month. Under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of $24,520 to afford this.

Is Bethesda considered an affordable place to live?

Based on the surplus of $2,000 and an affordability verdict of "Manageable", Bethesda is considered a manageable rental market when comparing the required 2-bedroom salary of $35,000 to the local median household income.

How Bethesda Compares

Other cities in Ohio with salary requirements