The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 20814 sells for about $1,147,572, or $456 per square foot.
Prices are up +2.1% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 35 days to sell. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $2,333 a month.
ZIP 20814 — Bethesda
The Bethesda 20814 housing market remains resilient, characterized by high demand and limited inventory, which continues to support price appreciation. While interest rates have tempered transaction volume, the area's strong economic fundamentals and proximity to major employment hubs keep the market competitive. Buyers remain active, though they are increasingly selective given the high price point.
This ZIP is ideal for affluent professionals, families seeking top-tier schools, and commuters who prioritize proximity to D.C. and a walkable, urban-suburban lifestyle. It is less suited for those seeking entry-level housing due to the high price point.
Median prices moved up 2.1% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 35 days on market with 3.2 months of supply — a fast-moving market.
38% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 98.5% of asking — demand is holding steady.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 2.9% · poverty 4.4% — a stable, low-distress profile.
Built from 308 recorded sales in the last 24 months against HUD 3-bedroom fair market rents. The location premium is the part of the price that rent, income, education, employment, vacancy, price trend, hazard, lending and flood risk don't explain. It usually reflects amenities, schools and scarcity. It's area context and does not change this ZIP's home value estimates.
Researched annual trajectory for this ZIP, from published historical series
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 4.3%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Median annual property tax paid on this ZIP's residential parcels
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 3.4%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
in-migration and out-migration balanced
ZCTA 20814, Montgomery County MD
ACS 2024 5-year estimates. Aggregate published statistics for this ZIP — never individual records, and never an attribute of any individual property or resident.
Crime rates in Bethesda are generally lower than the national average, with the area benefiting from a strong police presence and high socioeconomic stability. Property crime remains the primary concern, consistent with regional trends in Montgomery County.
The area is served by the highly-rated Montgomery County Public Schools system, which is consistently ranked among the top districts in Maryland and the nation.
The area faces moderate risks from severe thunderstorms and occasional flooding in low-lying zones, though it is not prone to wildfires. Property insurance remains stable but reflects the regional cost of living and infrastructure maintenance.
Bethesda serves as a major employment hub with significant presence in the biotech, healthcare, and federal research sectors, including the National Institutes of Health. Ongoing mixed-use development near the Metro stations continues to drive economic momentum.
Property taxes are levied by Montgomery County based on the assessed value of the property, with additional state-level taxes and local municipal levies where applicable. The tax structure includes a base rate plus special service district assessments for infrastructure and public services.
Residents benefit from excellent connectivity to Washington, D.C., via the Red Line Metro and major corridors like I-495 and Wisconsin Avenue. Most commuters experience a mix of transit and driving, with average commute times reflecting the proximity to the D.C. employment core.
The area features extensive access to green spaces such as the Capital Crescent Trail and various local parks, alongside high-end shopping and dining districts like Bethesda Row. Golfing and recreational facilities are readily available within a short drive.
The rental market is highly competitive with low vacancy rates, driven by demand from young professionals and employees of nearby major institutions. Short-term rentals are regulated, and the market shows steady rent growth.
The economy is anchored by the federal government, healthcare, and biotechnology sectors, with the National Institutes of Health and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center as primary drivers. The area maintains a highly educated workforce and low unemployment.
The area is served by the WMATA Red Line and an extensive bus network, providing robust transit options to D.C. and surrounding suburbs. Major highway access via I-495 and I-270 facilitates regional travel.
Development is focused on high-density, transit-oriented projects near Metro stations, aiming to increase housing supply and commercial space. Major projects include the continued evolution of the White Flint/North Bethesda corridor.
Parcels are subject to Montgomery County property taxes and various special service districts for public infrastructure, schools, and utility maintenance.
Property insurance is readily available, though premiums reflect the high property values and regional hazard profiles for wind and storm damage.
Data retrieved from Census Bureau ZCTA-level tables.
Public schools whose reported address is in this area (NCES). Not attendance boundaries — schools that serve residents may sit outside it. Check the district's address locator for assignment.
- The St. James4.414.8 mi
- F1 Arcade Washington, D.C.4.68.7 mi
- Lake Fairfax Park4.611.8 mi
- Sky Zone Trampoline Park414.9 mi
- Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park4.113.5 mi
- Nationals Park4.610.5 mi
- Capital One Arena4.58.6 mi
- Northwest Stadium414.5 mi
- Walter E. Washington Convention Center4.58.1 mi
- International Spy Museum4.49.3 mi
- Lincoln Memorial4.88.5 mi
- Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History4.88.9 mi
- Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum4.69.2 mi
- Smithsonian National Zoological Park4.65.9 mi
- Washington Monument4.78.8 mi
- Lincoln Memorial4.88.5 mi
- Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History4.88.9 mi
- Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum4.69.2 mi
- United States Capitol4.79.4 mi
- National Mall4.88.9 mi
- Lincoln Memorial4.88.5 mi
- National Mall4.88.9 mi
- United States Botanic Garden4.89.4 mi
- Great Falls Park4.88.1 mi
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial4.98.8 mi
- East Potomac Golf Links4.19.9 mi
- Congressional Country Club4.73.9 mi
- Puttery4.58.6 mi
- Northwest Golf Course4.38.6 mi
- Needwood Golf Course4.38.3 mi
- Tysons Corner Center4.68.7 mi
- Union Market4.58.8 mi
- Fashion Centre at Pentagon City4.410 mi
- Tysons Galleria4.58.5 mi
- Westfield Montgomery4.42.6 mi
- Dulles International Airport4.119.3 mi
- Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport4.211.2 mi
- Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport4.326.3 mi
- Capital One Lounge at IAD4.318.7 mi
- The Club BWI3.926.5 mi
Theme parks, venues, golf, airports, museums, water and shopping across the area from Google Maps, ranked by popularity within the radius shown.
A premier outdoor shopping and dining district.
A popular multi-use trail connecting Bethesda to D.C.
Major federal research facility and anchor employer.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.