Is it cheaper to live in Aberdeen or Frederick?

Aberdeen, SD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $740 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 55% below Frederick, MD's $1,650, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $23,000 a year in Aberdeen versus $57,000 in Frederick.

Which has lower taxes, Aberdeen or Frederick?

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

Aberdeen vs Frederick Cost of Living 2026

Aberdeen

South Dakota

$740/mo est.

Frederick

Maryland

$1,650/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $740 in Aberdeen, SD versus $1,650 in Frederick, MD. Overall, Aberdeen, SD is roughly 55% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Frederick, MD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $63,715 in Aberdeen, SD and $95,150 in Frederick, MD — about 33% higher in Frederick, 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

Frederick, MD

Rent

Studio

$529

$1,658

+213% in Frederick, MD

1 Bedroom

$576

$1,418

+146% in Frederick, MD

2 Bedroom

$824

$1,661

+102% in Frederick, MD

3 Bedroom

$924

$1,863

+102% in Frederick, MD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$205,500

$365,200

+78% in Frederick, MD

Income

Median Household Income

$63,715

$95,150

+49% in Frederick, MD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

—

$71,060

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.8 yr

37.1 yr

+1.3 yr in Frederick, MD

Homeownership

58.4%

59.2%

+0.8 pp in Frederick, MD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

33.6%

41.8%

+8.2 pp in Frederick, MD

Avg Commute

11.1 min

30.1 min

+19.0 min in Frederick, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

275

406

+48% in Frederick, MD

Property Crime

1,421.2

1,696.3

+19% in Frederick, 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

52.1°F

+9.1°F in Frederick, MD

Annual Precipitation

21.7 in

—

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Frederick, MD

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.4

21.8

+42% in Frederick, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.26

$22.57

+48% in Frederick, 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 Frederick, 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 Frederick — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Aberdeen or Frederick?: Aberdeen, SD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $740 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 55% below Frederick, MD's $1,650, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Aberdeen than in Frederick?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $23,000 a year in Aberdeen versus $57,000 in Frederick.
Which has lower taxes, Aberdeen or Frederick?: Aberdeen is taxed under South Dakota's rules (no state income tax and a 4.2% state sales tax); Frederick 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).