Signals
Wakefield
Bethesda
Climate
72 · Top 42%
vs72 · Top 42%
Physical resilience
80 · Top 24%
vs85 · Top 17%
Housing affordability
93 · Top 25%
vs71 · Bottom 36%
Access
95 · Top 34%
vs91 · Bottom 48%
Economic stability
87 · Top 1%
vs74 · Top 19%
Measured values
| Metric | Wakefield | Bethesda | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,930 | 69,397 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $237,975 | $192,237 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $81,170 | $120,363 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 3,162/sq mi | 5,233/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $861,600 | $1,169,900 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $3,501 | $2,469 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 91.6% | 64.0% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 73.8% | 87.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 1.8% | 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 | 14 mi | 19 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 30.8 min | 30.2 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 41.3 | 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.
Full profiles: Wakefield, VA · Bethesda, MD · How this is calculated: methodology