Is it cheaper to live in Bellevue or Frederick?

Bellevue, NE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,160 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 29% below Frederick, MD's $1,640, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $40,000 a year in Bellevue versus $57,000 in Frederick.

Which has lower taxes, Bellevue or Frederick?

Bellevue is taxed under Nebraska's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax); Frederick under Maryland's (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax).

Bellevue vs Frederick Cost of Living 2026

Bellevue

Nebraska

$1,160/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 $1,160 in Bellevue, NE versus $1,640 in Frederick, MD. Overall, Bellevue, NE is roughly 29% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Frederick, MD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $87,343 in Bellevue, NE and $95,150 in Frederick, MD — about 8% higher in Frederick, MD. Nebraska has a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax; Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax.

Bellevue, NE

Frederick, MD

Rent

Studio

$1,106

$1,658

+50% in Frederick, MD

1 Bedroom

$1,008

$1,418

+41% in Frederick, MD

2 Bedroom

$1,190

$1,661

+40% in Frederick, MD

3 Bedroom

$1,660

$1,863

+12% in Frederick, MD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$230,800

$365,200

+58% in Frederick, MD

Income

Median Household Income

$87,343

$95,150

+9% in Frederick, MD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,660

$71,060

+43% in Frederick, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.1 yr

37.1 yr

+1.0 yr in Frederick, MD

Homeownership

65.5%

59.2%

+6.3 pp in Bellevue, NE

Bachelor's+ (25+)

33.4%

41.8%

+8.4 pp in Frederick, MD

Avg Commute

20.8 min

30.1 min

+9.3 min in Frederick, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

100.8

406

+303% in Frederick, MD

Property Crime

1,149.4

1,696.3

+48% 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

51.1°F

52.1°F

+1.0°F in Frederick, MD

Annual Precipitation

30.6 in

—

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.86/gal

+2% in Bellevue, NE

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

13.6

21.8

+60% in Frederick, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.53

$18.94

+22% in Frederick, MD

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.00

+7% in Bellevue, NE

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.75

+5% in Frederick, MD

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.21

+39% in Bellevue, NE

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.45

+5% in Bellevue, NE

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$1.90

+9% in Bellevue, NE

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (NE / MD)

5.5%

+0.5 pp in MD

Income Tax (top rate)

4.55%

6.50%

+2.0 pp in MD

Bellevue vs Frederick — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bellevue or Frederick?: Bellevue, NE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,160 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 29% below Frederick, MD's $1,640, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bellevue than in Frederick?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $40,000 a year in Bellevue versus $57,000 in Frederick.
Which has lower taxes, Bellevue or Frederick?: Bellevue is taxed under Nebraska's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% 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).