Is it cheaper to live in Birmingham or Frederick?

Birmingham, AL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,190 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 27% below Frederick, MD's $1,640, mainly because of rent.

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

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

Which has lower taxes, Birmingham or Frederick?

Birmingham is taxed under Alabama's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.00% 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).

Birmingham vs Frederick Cost of Living 2026

Birmingham

Alabama

$1,190/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 $1,190 in Birmingham, AL versus $1,640 in Frederick, MD. Overall, Birmingham, AL is roughly 27% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Frederick, MD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $44,376 in Birmingham, AL and $95,150 in Frederick, MD — about 53% higher in Frederick, MD. Alabama has a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% state sales tax; Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax.

Birmingham, AL

Frederick, MD

Rent

Studio

$857

$1,658

+93% in Frederick, MD

1 Bedroom

$1,004

$1,418

+41% in Frederick, MD

2 Bedroom

$1,005

$1,661

+65% in Frederick, MD

3 Bedroom

$1,188

$1,863

+57% in Frederick, MD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$138,600

$365,200

+163% in Frederick, MD

Income

Median Household Income

$44,376

$95,150

+114% in Frederick, MD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$47,770

$71,060

+49% in Frederick, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.9 yr

37.1 yr

+1.2 yr in Frederick, MD

Homeownership

45.1%

59.2%

+14.1 pp in Frederick, MD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

30.7%

41.8%

+11.1 pp in Frederick, MD

Avg Commute

21.5 min

30.1 min

+8.6 min in Frederick, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,274.7

406

+68% in Birmingham, AL

Property Crime

4,233

1,696.3

+60% in Birmingham, AL

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

63.3°F

52.1°F

+11.2°F in Birmingham, AL

Annual Precipitation

53.7 in

—

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$3.86/gal

+7% in Frederick, MD

Area: Gulf Coast (PADD 3) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.8

21.8

+30% in Frederick, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.64

$18.94

+16% in Birmingham, AL

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 (AL / MD)

+2.0 pp in MD

Income Tax (top rate)

5.00%

6.50%

+1.5 pp in MD

Birmingham vs Frederick — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Birmingham or Frederick?: Birmingham, AL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,190 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 27% below Frederick, MD's $1,640, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Birmingham than in Frederick?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $40,000 a year in Birmingham versus $57,000 in Frederick.
Which has lower taxes, Birmingham or Frederick?: Birmingham is taxed under Alabama's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.00% 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).