Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Frederick?

Augusta, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 32% below Frederick, MD's $1,640, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $57,000 in Frederick.

Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Frederick?

Augusta 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).

Augusta vs Frederick Cost of Living 2026

Augusta

Georgia

$1,120/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 $1,120 in Augusta, GA versus $1,640 in Frederick, MD. Overall, Augusta, GA is roughly 32% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Frederick, MD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,134 in Augusta, GA and $95,150 in Frederick, MD — about 44% 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.

Augusta, GA

Frederick, MD

Rent

Studio

$784

$1,658

+111% in Frederick, MD

1 Bedroom

$916

$1,418

+55% in Frederick, MD

2 Bedroom

$1,035

$1,661

+60% in Frederick, MD

3 Bedroom

$1,230

$1,863

+51% in Frederick, MD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$162,900

$365,200

+124% in Frederick, MD

Income

Median Household Income

$53,134

$95,150

+79% in Frederick, MD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$45,990

$71,060

+55% in Frederick, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.9 yr

37.1 yr

+2.2 yr in Frederick, MD

Homeownership

50.9%

59.2%

+8.3 pp in Frederick, MD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

24.2%

41.8%

+17.6 pp in Frederick, MD

Avg Commute

20.6 min

30.1 min

+9.5 min in Frederick, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

546.7

406

+26% in Augusta, GA

Property Crime

3,652

1,696.3

+54% in Augusta, GA

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

65.2°F

52.1°F

+13.1°F in Augusta, GA

Annual Precipitation

46.5 in

—

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.8

21.8

+37% in Frederick, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$33.28

$18.94

+43% in Augusta, 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

Augusta vs Frederick — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Frederick?: Augusta, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 32% below Frederick, MD's $1,640, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Augusta than in Frederick?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $57,000 in Frederick.
Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Frederick?: Augusta 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).