Is it cheaper to live in Boise or Frederick?

Boise, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,260 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 23% below Frederick, MD's $1,640, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year in Boise versus $57,000 in Frederick.

Which has lower taxes, Boise or Frederick?

Boise is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax); Frederick under Maryland's (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax).

Boise vs Frederick Cost of Living 2026

Boise

Idaho

$1,260/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 $1,260 in Boise, ID versus $1,640 in Frederick, MD. Overall, Boise, ID is roughly 23% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Frederick, MD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,308 in Boise, ID and $95,150 in Frederick, MD — about 15% higher in Frederick, MD. Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax; Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax.

Boise, ID

Frederick, MD

Rent

Studio

$1,021

$1,658

+62% in Frederick, MD

1 Bedroom

$1,133

$1,418

+25% in Frederick, MD

2 Bedroom

$1,342

$1,661

+24% in Frederick, MD

3 Bedroom

$1,749

$1,863

+7% in Frederick, MD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$456,000

$365,200

+20% in Boise, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$81,308

$95,150

+17% in Frederick, MD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,100

$71,060

+45% in Frederick, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.2 yr

37.1 yr

+1.1 yr in Boise, ID

Homeownership

63.0%

59.2%

+3.8 pp in Boise, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

46.6%

41.8%

+4.8 pp in Boise, ID

Avg Commute

19.1 min

30.1 min

+11.0 min in Frederick, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

301

406

+35% in Frederick, MD

Property Crime

1,135.1

1,696.3

+49% 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

52.5°F

52.1°F

+0.4°F in Boise, ID

Annual Precipitation

11.7 in

—

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.29/gal

$3.86/gal

+10% in Boise, ID

Area: Rocky Mountain (PADD 4) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

12.3

21.8

+76% in Frederick, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$10.82

$18.94

+75% in Frederick, MD

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.00

+17% in Boise, ID

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.75

+14% in Boise, ID

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.21

+1% in Frederick, MD

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.45

+12% in Boise, ID

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$1.90

+6% in Boise, ID

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Boise, ID

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ID / MD)

about equal

Income Tax (top rate)

5.30%

6.50%

+1.2 pp in MD

Boise vs Frederick — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Boise or Frederick?: Boise, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,260 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 23% below Frederick, MD's $1,640, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Boise than in Frederick?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year in Boise versus $57,000 in Frederick.
Which has lower taxes, Boise or Frederick?: Boise is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% 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).