Is it cheaper to live in Aberdeen or Annapolis?

Aberdeen, SD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $740 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 60% below Annapolis, MD's $1,830, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Aberdeen than in Annapolis?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $23,000 a year in Aberdeen versus $64,000 in Annapolis.

Which has lower taxes, Aberdeen or Annapolis?

Aberdeen is taxed under South Dakota's rules (no state income tax and a 4.2% state sales tax); Annapolis under Maryland's (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax).

Aberdeen vs Annapolis Cost of Living 2026

Aberdeen

South Dakota

$740/mo est.

Annapolis

Maryland

$1,830/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $740 in Aberdeen, SD versus $1,830 in Annapolis, MD. Overall, Aberdeen, SD is roughly 60% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Annapolis, MD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $63,715 in Aberdeen, SD and $104,257 in Annapolis, MD — about 39% higher in Annapolis, MD. South Dakota has no state income tax and a 4.2% state sales tax; Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax.

Aberdeen, SD

Annapolis, MD

Rent

Studio

$529

$1,239

+134% in Annapolis, MD

1 Bedroom

$576

$1,598

+177% in Annapolis, MD

2 Bedroom

$824

$1,864

+126% in Annapolis, MD

3 Bedroom

$924

$2,232

+142% in Annapolis, MD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$205,500

$510,200

+148% in Annapolis, MD

Income

Median Household Income

$63,715

$104,257

+64% in Annapolis, MD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

—

$59,070

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.8 yr

40.9 yr

+5.1 yr in Annapolis, MD

Homeownership

58.4%

59.8%

+1.4 pp in Annapolis, MD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

33.6%

53.7%

+20.1 pp in Annapolis, MD

Avg Commute

11.1 min

28.7 min

+17.6 min in Annapolis, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

275

806

+193% in Annapolis, MD

Property Crime

1,421.2

2,111.5

+49% in Annapolis, MD

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

43.0°F

57.1°F

+14.1°F in Annapolis, MD

Annual Precipitation

21.7 in

—

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Annapolis, MD

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.4

21.8

+42% in Annapolis, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.26

$22.57

+48% in Annapolis, MD

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.00

+7% in Aberdeen, SD

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.75

+5% in Annapolis, MD

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.21

+39% in Aberdeen, SD

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.45

+5% in Aberdeen, SD

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$1.90

+9% in Aberdeen, SD

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

Average prices — Midwest vs South (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (SD / MD)

4.2%

+1.8 pp in MD

Income Tax (top rate)

None

6.50%

+6.5 pp in MD

Aberdeen vs Annapolis — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Aberdeen or Annapolis?: Aberdeen, SD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $740 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 60% below Annapolis, MD's $1,830, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Aberdeen than in Annapolis?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $23,000 a year in Aberdeen versus $64,000 in Annapolis.
Which has lower taxes, Aberdeen or Annapolis?: Aberdeen is taxed under South Dakota's rules (no state income tax and a 4.2% state sales tax); Annapolis under Maryland's (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).