Is Frederick expensive to live in?

Frederick is among the most expensive of the 112 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $1,418 per month ranks #20 of 112 and is 31% higher than the $1,080 median.

What is the average rent in Frederick?

Average rent in Frederick, MD runs a studio around $1,658, a one-bedroom around $1,418, a two-bedroom around $1,661, a three-bedroom around $1,863 per month (US Census ACS).

How much do you need to earn to live in Frederick?

To keep a one-bedroom rent of $1,418 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $57,000 a year. The median household income here is $95,150.

How much does it cost to live in Frederick per month?

A rough monthly baseline for one person in Frederick is about $1,640 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

Cost of Living in Frederick, MD

Population 80,617 · Maryland

~$1,640/mo est.1BR $1,418Home $365,200

Photo: Tim Mossholder / Unsplash

Compare with:

The cost of living in Frederick, MD is driven mostly by housing. A one-bedroom apartment rents for around $1,418 a month — 31% higher than the $1,080 median across the 112 large US cities we track. Studios average $1,658 and two-bedrooms $1,661.

Median household income here is $95,150, 37% higher than the $69,423 median of the cities we track. Adding typical electricity and heating to one-bedroom rent, a rough monthly baseline for one person is about $1,640 before food and transport. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax.

Rent1BR $1,418

Studio

$1,658

1 Bedroom

$1,418

2 Bedroom

$1,661

3 Bedroom

$1,863

Buying a Home$365,200

Median Home Value

$365,200

Income$95,150

Median Household Income

$95,150

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$71,060

Household income: Census ACS, city. Metro median wage: BLS OEWS, all occupations, 2025 (metro area).

GroceriesSouth

Milk (gal)

$4.00

Bread (lb)

$1.75

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

Average prices, South (BLS, 2026-07-01). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

Utilities21.8¢/kWh

Electricity

21.8¢/kWh

Natural Gas

$18.94/MCF

Residential, state-level averages (EIA, 2026-05-01). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Gas$3.86/gal

Regular Gasoline (East Coast (PADD 1))

$3.86/gal

EIA weekly retail average, week of 2026-08-17.

State Taxes (MD)6% sales

State Sales Tax

State Income Tax (top rate)

Up to 6.50%

State-level rates. Local sales taxes may add more. Income tax shown is the top marginal rate; most filers pay less.

Crime406 violent

Violent Crime (per 100k/yr)

406

Property Crime (per 100k/yr)

1,696.3

FBI Crime Data Explorer, Frederick Police Department (2024). Offenses per 100,000 residents per year. Agency reporting practices vary, so cross-city comparisons are approximate.

People & LifestyleAge 37.1 yrs

Median Age

37.1 yrs

Homeownership

59.2%

Bachelor's+ (25+)

41.8%

Avg Commute

30.1 min

Climate52.1°F

Avg Annual Temperature

52.1°F

Annual Precipitation

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Frederick cost of living — FAQ

Is Frederick expensive to live in?: Frederick is among the most expensive of the 112 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $1,418 per month ranks #20 of 112 and is 31% higher than the $1,080 median.
What is the average rent in Frederick?: Average rent in Frederick, MD runs a studio around $1,658, a one-bedroom around $1,418, a two-bedroom around $1,661, a three-bedroom around $1,863 per month (US Census ACS).
How much do you need to earn to live in Frederick?: To keep a one-bedroom rent of $1,418 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $57,000 a year. The median household income here is $95,150.
How much does it cost to live in Frederick per month?: A rough monthly baseline for one person in Frederick is about $1,640 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

Compare Frederick with nearby cities

Frederick vs Washington Frederick vs Baltimore Frederick vs Annapolis Frederick vs Wilmington Frederick vs Philadelphia Frederick vs Richmond

Nearby cities

Washington, DC 40 mi Baltimore, MD 44 mi Annapolis, MD 58 mi Wilmington, DE 102 mi Philadelphia, PA 125 mi Richmond, VA 129 mi

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981-2010 (climate); EIA (gas, utilities); BLS Average Price Data (groceries) & OEWS (metro wage); transit agencies (fares); FBI Crime Data Explorer (crime); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes). Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + utilities; not a full cost of living.