What the three sources actually measure
The three providers answer related but different questions. Zillow's $1,121,468 figure is a Zillow Home Value Index estimate of typical value, not a transaction median. Redfin's $1,349,107 is a median sale price for all home types over the three months ending August 2026. Realtor.com's $1,212,450 is a median asking price in its September 2026 summary.
The figures should not be averaged. They have different populations, timing, and methods. Their useful shared signal is that Bethesda remained a high-price market while the pace and negotiating indicators were mixed.
Supply and transaction signals
Zillow reported 277 for-sale listings and 83 new listings as of August 31. Redfin reported 222 sales in August, down from 234 a year earlier. Realtor.com reported 416 active listings in September and described Bethesda as balanced. The inventory totals differ because provider coverage and observation dates differ.
Interpretation boundary
This report is an orientation layer. A current decision still requires a defined property type, price band, geographic boundary, current alternatives, recent comparable sales, and an address-level review. Bethesda city data cannot establish value or leverage for a specific house or unit.