Is Town of Chevy Chase safe?
Bethesda, Maryland · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Town of Chevy Chase as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Town of Chevy Chase
“Go. The Town of Chevy Chase is an exceptionally safe, prosperous, and peaceful residential enclave immediately adjacent to downtown Bethesda. Visitors can walk the neighborhood freely at any hour with virtually no safety concerns, while enjoying immediate access to nearby urban amenities.”
Local police blotters occasionally report minor crimes of opportunity such as thefts from unlocked vehicles, but violent crime is virtually nonexistent.
About the area
The Town of Chevy Chase is a charming, incorporated municipality characterized by lush mature tree canopies, beautifully maintained early 20th-century homes, and quiet neighborhood parks. It serves as a tranquil suburban sanctuary located right on the edge of the vibrant commercial core of Bethesda.
- Affluent Residential
- Historic / Tree-Lined
- Family-Friendly
- Peaceful & Green
Walking and biking in Town of Chevy Chase
Walk score: 68/100 · Bike score: 72/100
Capital Bikeshare stations are positioned along the town's perimeter, providing seamless connections to the Capital Crescent Trail and the Bethesda Trolley Trail.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Exceptionally low violent and property crime rates compared to national benchmarks
- Affluent community with median household incomes exceeding $250,000 and pristine infrastructure
- Direct walking access to downtown Bethesda restaurants, shops, and transit hubs
- Well-maintained public green spaces and active local municipal services
Cons
- Strict municipal on-street permit parking restrictions on most residential streets
- Occasional isolated incidents of unlocked vehicle rummaging and package theft
- Exclusively residential interior with commercial activity located strictly outside town borders
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not present within the residential town boundaries. Any occasional unhoused individuals in the area are found around major transit portals in commercial downtown Bethesda where county outreach services operate.
What Town of Chevy Chase is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Serene and active with joggers, dog walkers, and commuters walking toward transit in complete safety.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Pleasant and relaxed, with residents and families enjoying the shaded neighborhood sidewalks and local parks.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Calm and tranquil as commuters return home, remaining fully safe for evening strolls.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Exceptionally quiet with minimal vehicle traffic and safe, well-lit residential surroundings.
Transit, parking and getting around
The WMATA Bethesda Metro Station (Red Line) is located a 5- to 15-minute walk from town streets just across Wisconsin Avenue, supported by Montgomery County Ride On buses along boundary roads.
Street parking inside town limits is heavily restricted to resident permit holders with limited daytime visitor exceptions, though ample public parking garages are available in adjacent downtown Bethesda for around $1.50 to $2.25 per hour.
Things to do in Town of Chevy Chase
- Stroll through the shaded, manicured grounds around the Jane E. Lawton Community Center and Town Hall park
- Admire the distinct early 20th-century architectural styles on a self-guided walking tour along East-West Highway and Elm Street
- Connect to the adjacent Capital Crescent Trail for a paved walk or bicycle ride toward Georgetown
Local favorites
- Woodmont Grill · American Restaurant · 4.6★ (2350)An upscale, dimly lit eatery on the Bethesda border known for prime steaks, ribs, and live nightly jazz.
- Mon Ami Gabi · French Bistro · 4.5★ (2180)A classic Parisian-style bistro offering steak frites, wine by the rolling cart, and patio dining near the town edge.
- Levain Bakery - Bethesda · Bakery · 4.7★ (760)A beloved bakery outpost serving warm, six-ounce signature cookies, artisanal breads, and espresso.
Scores are safety-driven — recent reported crime and local news plus Census income, poverty, housing, education, household and access data — refreshed nightly. Walk and bike scores are shown separately and do not affect the safety score. A guide, not a guarantee — conditions change street to street.