2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Fairfax, VA vs Bethesda, MD

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Highlights
Are people in Bethesda older or younger than people in Fairfax?
- The Median Age in Bethesda is 5.3 years older than in Fairfax.

Are housing costs cheaper in Bethesda or Fairfax?
- Bethesda housing costs are 63.9% more expensive than Fairfax housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Bethesda or Fairfax?
- The average commute for residents of Bethesda is 1.9 minutes shorter than it is for residents of Fairfax.

Things to do in Fairfax?
Fairfax is an incorporated city sitting within Fairfax County, Virginia featuring plenty of things to do during your stay like attending concerts at the historic Sunnyside Botanical Garden suitable for those looking to enjoy some family friendly fun plus nearby Sully Historic Site has stunning views ideal for outdoor activities. Additionally there are several locally owned stores and eateries providing unique items or delicious cuisine great for any budget during their stay here!

Things to do in Bethesda?
Bethesda, Maryland is an incredible city located just northwest of Washington D.C. This beautiful city offers plenty for visitors to explore such as the stunning Glen Echo Park or the charming Cabin John Regional Park. Residents here also take advantage of all the outdoor activities available at Acorn Urban Park, Little Falls Creek Stream Valley, and Capital Crescent Trail. With its excellent school systems, thriving businesses, and numerous recreational opportunities, it's no wonder why so many people choose to make Bethesda their home.

 Fairfax, VABethesda, MDUnited States
 Population  Unlock66,294329,725,481
 Median Income$118,492  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock4338.4
 Avg. Home Price$654,200  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock5.7%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time31.15  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Fairfax    28 Reviews

I lived in the area for 17 years through high school until I eventually became a truck driver. Having now seen most states extensively, I wanted to fairly review what  More

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Living in Fairfax, or any of the Northern Virginia suburbs of DC, means dealing with highways that are a Gordian knot of converging lanes and overpasses, making long  More

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Over 10 years ago

The Cost of living here is high. Though the standard of living is also high, unless you're making over 50,000/year, it's difficult to both live and build any sort of  More

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Reviews for Bethesda    12 Reviews

Bethesda is awesome if you want to live near DC and in a relatively safe city that has few parking issues. Montgomery county has parking lots in downtown Bethesda and  More

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Amenities are plentiful, but costs continue to rise as do local and state taxes. Overall not a friendly place to  More

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Essentially an upscale suburb of Washington DC. Public transport is easy, there's plenty to do (though with none of the edginess of living closer in DC) and it's minutes  More

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