Is it cheaper to live in Cleveland or Frederick?

Cleveland, OH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 43% below Frederick, MD's $1,640, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $29,000 a year in Cleveland versus $57,000 in Frederick.

Which has lower taxes, Cleveland or Frederick?

Cleveland is taxed under Ohio's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax); Frederick under Maryland's (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax).

Cleveland vs Frederick Cost of Living 2026

Cleveland

Ohio

$940/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 $940 in Cleveland, OH versus $1,640 in Frederick, MD. Overall, Cleveland, OH is roughly 43% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Frederick, MD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $39,187 in Cleveland, OH and $95,150 in Frederick, MD — about 59% higher in Frederick, MD. Ohio has a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax; Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax.

Cleveland, OH

Frederick, MD

Rent

Studio

$678

$1,658

+145% in Frederick, MD

1 Bedroom

$732

$1,418

+94% in Frederick, MD

2 Bedroom

$903

$1,661

+84% in Frederick, MD

3 Bedroom

$1,081

$1,863

+72% in Frederick, MD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$94,100

$365,200

+288% in Frederick, MD

Income

Median Household Income

$39,187

$95,150

+143% in Frederick, MD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$50,140

$71,060

+42% in Frederick, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.3 yr

37.1 yr

+0.8 yr in Frederick, MD

Homeownership

41.2%

59.2%

+18.0 pp in Frederick, MD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

21.3%

41.8%

+20.5 pp in Frederick, MD

Avg Commute

22.9 min

30.1 min

+7.2 min in Frederick, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,582

406

+74% in Cleveland, OH

Property Crime

4,531.3

1,696.3

+63% in Cleveland, OH

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 Cleveland, OH

Annual Precipitation

36.4 in

—

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.18/gal

$3.86/gal

+8% in Cleveland, OH

Area: Ohio vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.5

21.8

+12% in Frederick, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.83

$18.94

+17% in Cleveland, OH

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.00

+7% in Cleveland, OH

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.75

+5% in Frederick, MD

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.21

+39% in Cleveland, OH

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.45

+5% in Cleveland, OH

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$1.90

+9% in Cleveland, OH

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (OH / MD)

5.75%

+0.3 pp in MD

Income Tax (top rate)

2.75%

6.50%

+3.8 pp in MD

Cleveland vs Frederick — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Cleveland or Frederick?: Cleveland, OH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 43% below Frederick, MD's $1,640, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Cleveland than in Frederick?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $29,000 a year in Cleveland versus $57,000 in Frederick.
Which has lower taxes, Cleveland or Frederick?: Cleveland is taxed under Ohio's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% 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).