Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Frederick?

Frederick, MD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,640 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 8% below Atlanta, GA's $1,780, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Atlanta versus $57,000 in Frederick.

Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Frederick?

Atlanta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Frederick under Maryland's (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax).

Atlanta vs Frederick Cost of Living 2026

Atlanta

Georgia

$1,780/mo est.

Frederick

Maryland

$1,640/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,780 in Atlanta, GA versus $1,640 in Frederick, MD. Overall, Frederick, MD is roughly 8% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Atlanta, GA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,938 in Atlanta, GA and $95,150 in Frederick, MD — about 14% higher in Frederick, MD. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax.

Atlanta, GA

Frederick, MD

Rent

Studio

$1,669

$1,658

+1% in Atlanta, GA

1 Bedroom

$1,576

$1,418

+10% in Atlanta, GA

2 Bedroom

$1,701

$1,661

+2% in Atlanta, GA

3 Bedroom

$1,557

$1,863

+20% in Frederick, MD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$420,600

$365,200

+13% in Atlanta, GA

Income

Median Household Income

$81,938

$95,150

+16% in Frederick, MD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,170

$71,060

+39% in Frederick, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.0 yr

37.1 yr

+3.1 yr in Frederick, MD

Homeownership

46.3%

59.2%

+12.9 pp in Frederick, MD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

58.4%

41.8%

+16.6 pp in Atlanta, GA

Avg Commute

26.8 min

30.1 min

+3.3 min in Frederick, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

603.7

406

+33% in Atlanta, GA

Property Crime

3,548.3

1,696.3

+52% in Atlanta, GA

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

62.6°F

52.1°F

+10.5°F in Atlanta, GA

Annual Precipitation

49.7 in

—

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

about equal

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

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.50

—

Adult base one-way fare — MARTA vs — (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.8

21.8

+37% in Frederick, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$33.28

$18.94

+43% in Atlanta, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.75

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / MD)

+2.0 pp in MD

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

6.50%

+1.3 pp in MD

Atlanta vs Frederick — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Frederick?: Frederick, MD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,640 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 8% below Atlanta, GA's $1,780, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Atlanta than in Frederick?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Atlanta versus $57,000 in Frederick.
Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Frederick?: Atlanta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% 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).