2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Raleigh, NC vs Bethesda, MD

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Bethesda or is it cheaper to live in Raleigh?
- Bethesda is 30.9% more expensive than Raleigh.

Which city has more affordable housing, Bethesda or Raleigh?
- Bethesda housing costs are 203.4% more expensive than Raleigh housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Raleigh or is Health Care more affordable in Bethesda.
- Health related expenses are 8.4% less in Bethesda.
 Raleigh, NCBethesda, MDUnited States
 Overall  Unlock138.5100
 Food & Groceries100.6  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock86.8100
 Housing118.8  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$1,072,100$338,100
 Utilities99  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock128.8100
 Miscellaneous109.7  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
DID YOU KNOW?

In order to keep your same standard of living your salary can vary greatly - whether you buy or rent, require child care, or want to include taxes. This is why we are now offering a Premium Salary & Cost of Living Calculator.

Our Premium Calculator Includes:
- Compare Cities cost of living across 9 different categories
- Personal salary calculations can optionally include Home ownership or rental, Child care, and Taxes (with details on state and local sales, income, property and automobile taxes)
- Includes the cost of Child Care for toddlers or infants, at a day care center or home care
- Grocery prices, detailed for 29 staple items in six categories
- Difference in cost of Utilities, including electric, gas and fuel oil
- Health Care Premiums and hospital expenses for major surgeries
- Taxes, Fees and Expenses you should know about, such as local car insurance rates, automobile taxes and registration, commuting costs.
- and 100s of other items you should consider before you relocate

Upgrade to Premium | See Example

Reviews for Raleigh    224 Reviews

I moved to Raleigh in 2018. Before that, I lived in Orange County CA, Boulder CO, South Africa, Northern California, Arizona, and Toronto. I say all this to give  More

   |    Reply

Excellent for a great many people or categories of people. As far as prices: ratio of wage and job opportunity here with housing remains one of the better ones in the  More

   |    Reply

Over 2 years ago

I attended university here in the early 90s and came back around 2005 and never left. I'm surprised at the other negative reviews honestly. Yes, housing is pricey in  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Raleigh

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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Bethesda


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.