Signals
Merrifield
Bethesda
Climate
72 · Top 42%
vs72 · Top 42%
Physical resilience
81 · Top 21%
vs85 · Top 17%
Housing affordability
73 · Bottom 38%
vs71 · Bottom 36%
Access
96 · Top 31%
vs91 · Bottom 48%
Economic stability
83 · Top 4%
vs74 · Top 19%
Measured values
| Metric | Merrifield | Bethesda | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 20,698 | 69,397 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $136,373 | $192,237 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $73,653 | $120,363 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 7,669/sq mi | 5,233/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $660,800 | $1,169,900 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $2,368 | $2,469 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 39.1% | 64.0% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 76.2% | 87.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 5.1% | 4.3% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Average July high | 90°F | 90°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 30°F | 30°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 41.8" | 41.8" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 13 mi | 19 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 30.9 min | 30.2 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 34.6 | 42.8 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
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Merrifield
77
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Area Score
Bethesda
80
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Area Score
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Full profiles: Merrifield, VA · Bethesda, MD · How this is calculated: methodology