In Bethesda, condos typically run $298K–$1.2M+ with HOA fees of $350–$900/month, while townhomes range $700K–$1.4M+ with HOA fees of $100–$350/month. The right choice depends on your down payment, timeline, and how much maintenance you want to own.
Quick Answer
In Bethesda, condos typically run $298K–$1.2M+ with HOA fees of $350–$900/month, while townhomes range $700K–$1.4M+ with HOA fees of $100–$350/month. The right choice depends on your down payment, timeline, and how much maintenance you want to own.
Condo vs Townhome in Bethesda, MD: How to Choose
TL;DR: Downtown Bethesda condos start around $298K and can top $1.2M, with HOA fees of $350–$900+/month. Bethesda townhomes run $700K–$1.4M+ with HOA fees of $100–$350/month. The monthly cost difference is smaller than you'd expect — and the right choice depends on what you want to own, maintain, and pay for over time.
The price landscape
Downtown Bethesda condos range from roughly $298K to $1.2M+, with a median around $670K in early 2026. The Bethesda overall median — including single-family homes — sits at $1.2M, up 22.3% year-over-year. In North Bethesda, the median is $779K, and price per square foot across Bethesda averages $438.
Townhomes in the area (EYA North Bethesda, Chevy Chase Lake, Cabin John Village in Potomac) typically range from $700K to $1.4M+. They tend to offer more square footage and private outdoor space, but they carry more maintenance responsibility and often come with a smaller HOA.
Monthly costs: more similar than you'd think
The sticker price difference between a $670K condo and an $850K townhome is real, but the monthly cost gap narrows quickly once you account for HOA fees:
- Condo at $670K: ~$5,400–$5,800/month all-in (mortgage + HOA $350–$900 + taxes)
- Townhome at $850K: ~$5,900–$6,200/month all-in (mortgage + HOA $100–$350 + taxes)
The gap is often $300–$600/month — meaningful, but not dramatic. What matters more is what you get for it.
The mortgage rate premium on condos
Condo buyers in Bethesda face a rate premium of 0.125%–0.375% above standard conforming rates. This is a loan-level price adjustment (LLPA) applied by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to attached properties. Putting 25% or more down eliminates this premium entirely. Condo warrantability also matters: the building needs 50%+ owner-occupancy and adequate HOA reserves to qualify for conventional financing.
What you're actually buying
A condo means you own the interior unit and share the building, exterior, and amenities with other owners — the HOA handles roofing, landscaping, and structural repairs. A townhome gives you more control (and responsibility) over your exterior and often your private yard or patio. For buyers who don't want maintenance calls, a condo's HOA coverage can justify the higher monthly fee. For buyers who want space, privacy, and an asset that behaves more like a single-family home, a townhome usually wins.
Montgomery County tax rate
Both property types are taxed at the same MoCo combined rate of approximately $1.03 per $100 of assessed value. On a $670K condo, that's roughly $6,900/year (~$575/month). On an $850K townhome, about $8,755/year (~$730/month).