---
title: Bethesda, Maryland
description: A thriving urban center near Washington, D.C., Bethesda is both one of the wealthiest and highly educated communities in the country. A high number of…
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published: '2018-09-11T18:56:53.000Z'
modified: '2024-05-08T05:04:41.000Z'
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![Bethesda, Maryland](https://img.money.com/2018/08/best-places-to-live-2018-20-bethesda-maryland.jpg)

A thriving urban center near Washington, D.C., Bethesda is both one of the wealthiest and highly educated communities in the country. A high number of residents hold professional or doctoral degrees; less than 10% of the population did not finish high school; and the median family income is just shy of $180,000 a year.

Bethesda is home to government offices as well as numerous tech, healthcare, and investment companies; employers include the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, the [National Institutes of Health](https://www.nih.gov/), and [Lockheed Martin](https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/who-we-are.html).

A manageable commute from the nation’s capital, Bethesda also has its own local shopping, dining, and entertainment options. A formalized [Arts & Entertainment District](https://downtownbethesda.com/arts-and-entertainment) holds numerous cultural venues, and hosts events throughout the year. The picturesque town has also been featured in numerous high-profile movies and television series, including [*The Bourne Legacy*](https://wtop.com/reviews/2012/08/exorcising-damons-film-franchise-is-bourne-again/) and several episodes of [*The* *X-files*](https://www.wired.com/2016/01/x-files-interactive-map/). *— Sergei Klebnikov*

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[**Find homes in Bethesda, Maryland on**](https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-search/Bethesda_MD/?cid=dsp_moneyBPL18_cons_Time_Money_rankings_textlink_srp)

![](https://img.money.com/2017/08/realtorlogofinal.png?w=300)

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