Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Frederick?

Chicago, IL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,490 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 9% below Frederick, MD's $1,640, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Chicago versus $57,000 in Frederick.

Which has lower taxes, Chicago or Frederick?

Chicago is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Frederick under Maryland's (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax).

Chicago vs Frederick Cost of Living 2026

Chicago

Illinois

$1,490/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 $1,490 in Chicago, IL versus $1,640 in Frederick, MD. Overall, Chicago, IL is roughly 9% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Frederick, MD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago, IL and $95,150 in Frederick, MD — about 21% higher in Frederick, MD. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax.

Chicago, IL

Frederick, MD

Rent

Studio

$1,186

$1,658

+40% in Frederick, MD

1 Bedroom

$1,258

$1,418

+13% in Frederick, MD

2 Bedroom

$1,406

$1,661

+18% in Frederick, MD

3 Bedroom

$1,554

$1,863

+20% in Frederick, MD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$315,200

$365,200

+16% in Frederick, MD

Income

Median Household Income

$75,134

$95,150

+27% in Frederick, MD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,720

$71,060

+30% in Frederick, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.7 yr

37.1 yr

+1.4 yr in Frederick, MD

Homeownership

45.5%

59.2%

+13.7 pp in Frederick, MD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

43.3%

41.8%

+1.5 pp in Chicago, IL

Avg Commute

33.5 min

30.1 min

+3.4 min in Chicago, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

539.8

406

+25% in Chicago, IL

Property Crime

3,489.9

1,696.3

+51% in Chicago, IL

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

52.7°F

52.1°F

+0.6°F in Chicago, IL

Annual Precipitation

38.0 in

—

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.29/gal

$3.86/gal

+10% in Chicago, IL

Area: Chicago vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.50

—

Adult base one-way fare — CTA vs — (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

23.9

21.8

+9% in Chicago, IL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.39

$18.94

+23% in Frederick, MD

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.00

+7% in Chicago, IL

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.75

+5% in Frederick, MD

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.21

+39% in Chicago, IL

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.45

+5% in Chicago, IL

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$1.90

+9% in Chicago, IL

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IL / MD)

6.25%

+0.3 pp in IL

Income Tax (top rate)

4.95%

6.50%

+1.5 pp in MD

Chicago vs Frederick — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Frederick?: Chicago, IL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,490 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 9% below Frederick, MD's $1,640, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Chicago than in Frederick?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Chicago versus $57,000 in Frederick.
Which has lower taxes, Chicago or Frederick?: Chicago is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% 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).