Bethesda Maryland has been recognized as an idyllic place to call home by WalletHub. Bethesda was ranked as one of the 2016 Best Small Cities in America.
Living in big cities is great because there is lots to do – nightlife, cultural events and pro sports teams — but it also some drawbacks, such as a higher cost of living, big crowds, long commutes, and higher crime rates. That is why some, such as Bethesda residents, prefer the slower pace of small-city life.
The city was highly ranked in a study released Monday by WalletHub, a personal finance advice site, as one of the best small cities in the United States.
“Small city living gives you more and easier access to your local leaders,” said Benjamin Y. Clark, assistant professor of public administration at the University of Oregon. “Small city living frequently means more personalized services from your local government.” Ironically, Bethesda Maryland is so small that we don’t even have a local government!
People in small cities typically, the study notes, enjoy tighter networks, shorter commutes and an abundance of land. Bethesda scored well across the board on the website’s criteria for the good life, ranking No. 24 for education and health. On quality of life, Bethesda ranked 148 and 536 on affordability.
In case you are interested in how Wallet Hub determined the rankings here how they determined some of the rankings.
Affordability – Total Points: 20
- Housing Costs: Full Weight (~5.00 Points)
Note: This is a composite metric of median home price divided by median annual family income and average two-bedroom rent divided by median annual family income. - Cost of Living: Full Weight (~5.00 Points)
- Median Household Income: Full Weight (~5.00 Points)
- Homeownership Rate: Full Weight (~5.00 Points)
Economic Health – Total Points: 20
- Unemployment Rate: Full Weight (~5.00 Points)
- Percentage of Residents Living Below Poverty Level: Full Weight (~5.00 Points)
- Population Growth: Full Weight (~5.00 Points)
- Income Growth: Full Weight (~5.00 Points)
Education & Health – Total Points: 20
- School-System Quality: Full Weight (~2.22 Points)
Note: This metric is based on WalletHub’s School Systems ranking. - High School Graduation Rate: Full Weight (~2.22 Points)
- Percentage of Residents with at Least a High School Diploma: Full Weight (~2.22 Points)
- Percentage of Population with Health-Insurance Coverage: Full Weight (~2.22 Points)
- Premature-Death Rate: Full Weight (~2.22 Points)
Note: This metric measures “Average Years of Potential Life Lost” rate. - Poor or Fair Health: Full Weight (~2.22 Points)
- Low Birthweight: Full Weight (~2.22 Points)
- Adult Obesity: Full Weight (~2.22 Points)
- Physical Inactivity: Full Weight (~2.22 Points)
Quality of Life – Total Points: 20
- Average Commute Time: Full Weight (~1.82 Points)
- Percentage of Residents Who Walk to Work: Full Weight (~1.82 Points)
- Mean Hours Worked per Week: Full Weight (~1.82 Points)
- Number of Restaurants per Capita: Full Weight (~1.82 Points)
- Number of Bars per Capita: Full Weight (~1.82 Points)
- Number of Clubs per Capita: Full Weight (~1.82 Points)
- Number of Coffee Shops per Capita: Full Weight (~1.82 Points)
- Number of Museums per Capita: Full Weight (~1.82 Points)
- Number of Performing Arts Centers per Capita: Full Weight (~1.82 Points)
- Number of Fitness Centers per Capita: Full Weight (~1.82 Points)
- Number of Department Stores per Capita: Full Weight (~1.82 Points)l
If you would like a home in Bethesda Maryland, then give the Lise Howe Group a call at 240-401-5577.