2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Seattle, WA vs Bethesda, MD

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Bethesda or is it cheaper to live in Seattle?
- Bethesda is 12.4% less expensive than Seattle.

Which city has more affordable housing, Bethesda or Seattle?
- Bethesda housing costs are 23.5% more expensive than Seattle housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Seattle or is Health Care more affordable in Bethesda.
- Health related expenses are 1.6% less in Bethesda.
 Seattle, WABethesda, MDUnited States
 Overall  Unlock138.5100
 Food & Groceries108.7  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock86.8100
 Housing291.9  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$1,072,100$338,100
 Utilities69  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock128.8100
 Miscellaneous150.7  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Seattle    321 Reviews

I have lived here since 1975, I moved here from California but was born and raised in Michigan. I would have to say that I never regretted leaving Michigan and their  More

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Over 3 years ago

I’ve lived in Seattle for just under 7 years and while it can be a stunningly beautiful place, I am very excited to leave. I’ll start with some of the positive aspects.  More

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if you can afford it, Seattle is a very nice place to live and raise a family! however, it is extremely expensive and in the winter, it's rather gloomy. i love gloomy  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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