Is it cheaper to live in Bismarck or Frederick?

Bismarck, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 42% below Frederick, MD's $1,650, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Bismarck versus $57,000 in Frederick.

Which has lower taxes, Bismarck or Frederick?

Bismarck is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax); Frederick under Maryland's (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax).

Bismarck vs Frederick Cost of Living 2026

Bismarck

North Dakota

$960/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 $960 in Bismarck, ND versus $1,650 in Frederick, MD. Overall, Bismarck, ND is roughly 42% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Frederick, MD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $77,608 in Bismarck, ND and $95,150 in Frederick, MD — about 18% higher in Frederick, MD. North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax; Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax.

Bismarck, ND

Frederick, MD

Rent

Studio

$723

$1,658

+129% in Frederick, MD

1 Bedroom

$803

$1,418

+77% in Frederick, MD

2 Bedroom

$989

$1,661

+68% in Frederick, MD

3 Bedroom

$1,421

$1,863

+31% in Frederick, MD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$291,400

$365,200

+25% in Frederick, MD

Income

Median Household Income

$77,608

$95,150

+23% in Frederick, MD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$52,560

$71,060

+35% in Frederick, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.2 yr

37.1 yr

+1.1 yr in Bismarck, ND

Homeownership

65.8%

59.2%

+6.6 pp in Bismarck, ND

Bachelor's+ (25+)

38.7%

41.8%

+3.1 pp in Frederick, MD

Avg Commute

15.5 min

30.1 min

+14.6 min in Frederick, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

278

406

+46% in Frederick, MD

Property Crime

2,417.1

1,696.3

+30% in Bismarck, ND

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

17.9 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)

14.1

21.8

+55% in Frederick, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.21

$22.57

+24% in Frederick, MD

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.00

+7% in Bismarck, ND

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.75

+5% in Frederick, MD

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.21

+39% in Bismarck, ND

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.45

+5% in Bismarck, ND

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$1.90

+9% in Bismarck, ND

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ND / MD)

+1.0 pp in MD

Income Tax (top rate)

2.50%

6.50%

+4.0 pp in MD

Bismarck vs Frederick — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bismarck or Frederick?: Bismarck, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 42% below Frederick, MD's $1,650, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bismarck than in Frederick?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Bismarck versus $57,000 in Frederick.
Which has lower taxes, Bismarck or Frederick?: Bismarck is taxed under North Dakota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 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).