CALCMONEY // HOME AFFORDABILITY // MD // BETHESDA
How much house can you afford in Bethesda? Based on local median home prices, current MD mortgage rates, and Bethesda property tax data.
$1,550,000
$10,233/mo
$438,570/yr
$810,115
Monthly housing costs of $10,233 represent 45.2% of Bethesda's median gross monthly income ($22,625/mo). At 45.2%, median-income buyers in Bethesda are significantly stretched — well above the 28% guideline. A larger down payment or higher income is required.
| Median Home Price | $1,550,000 |
| Down Payment (20%) | $310,000 |
| Loan Amount | $1,240,000 |
| Monthly PI Payment | $8,167 |
| Monthly Property Tax | $1,421 |
| Monthly Insurance Est. | $646 |
| Total Monthly PITI | $10,233 |
| Housing Cost % of Income | 45.2% |
| Required Income (28% rule) | $438,570/yr |
| Max Affordable Home | $810,115 |
$54,250
$12,977/mo
Bethesda Home Affordability Quick Reference 2026
| Metric | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Median Home Price | $1,550,000 | Bethesda city median |
| Down Payment (20%) | $310,000 | Conventional loan |
| Monthly PITI | $10,233 | 6.9% rate, 30yr fixed |
| Required Income (28% rule) | $438,570 | Annual gross |
| Max Affordable Home | $810,115 | Based on median income |
| FHA Down (3.5%) | $54,250 | Minimum FHA |
| Housing Cost % of Income | 45.2% | Median income: $271,500/yr |
| Property Tax Rate | 1.1% | $17,050/yr on median home |
Monthly PITI includes principal, interest, property tax, and homeowners insurance. Estimates only.
The median home price in Bethesda is $1,550,000, with a local 30-year mortgage rate of 6.9%. A buyer putting 20% down carries a loan of $1,240,000, generating a monthly P&I payment of $8,167. Adding property taxes ($1,421/mo) and homeowners insurance ($646/mo) brings total monthly PITI to $10,233.
Bethesda's property tax rate of 1.1% is near the national average, adding a standard increment to monthly housing costs. On the Bethesda median home, that is $1,421/month, or $17,050 per year.
Maryland levies a state income tax, which affects take-home pay and effective buying power. High-income earners in Bethesda should factor state tax liability into their overall housing budget — mortgage interest may be deductible on both federal and state returns.
Using the 28% rule, a household earning Bethesda's median income of $271,500/year can afford up to $6,335/month in total housing costs. Based on Bethesda's mortgage rate of 6.9% and property tax rate of 1.1%, that translates to a maximum affordable home price of approximately $810,115 with 20% down on a 30-year loan.
To afford the median Bethesda home priced at $1,550,000, you need an annual gross income of approximately $438,570. Total monthly housing costs (principal and interest of $8,167, property taxes of $1,421, and insurance of $646) come to $10,233/month, which equals 28% of the required income.
At the median home price of $1,550,000 and median household income of $271,500, the total monthly housing cost of $10,233 represents 45.2% of gross monthly income. This is well above the standard 28% threshold, making Bethesda a challenging market for buyers at median income.
A conventional 20% down payment on the median Bethesda home of $1,550,000 is $310,000. An FHA loan requires just 3.5% down — $54,250 — but adds mortgage insurance of roughly $1,059/month, bringing total FHA payments to $12,977/month.
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