Is it cheaper to live in Columbus or Frederick?

Columbus, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,080 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 34% below Frederick, MD's $1,640, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Columbus versus $57,000 in Frederick.

Which has lower taxes, Columbus or Frederick?

Columbus is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% 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).

Columbus vs Frederick Cost of Living 2026

Columbus

Georgia

$1,080/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 $1,080 in Columbus, GA versus $1,640 in Frederick, MD. Overall, Columbus, GA is roughly 34% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Frederick, MD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $56,622 in Columbus, GA and $95,150 in Frederick, MD — about 40% higher in Frederick, MD. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax.

Columbus, GA

Frederick, MD

Rent

Studio

$826

$1,658

+101% in Frederick, MD

1 Bedroom

$875

$1,418

+62% in Frederick, MD

2 Bedroom

$991

$1,661

+68% in Frederick, MD

3 Bedroom

$1,221

$1,863

+53% in Frederick, MD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$182,300

$365,200

+100% in Frederick, MD

Income

Median Household Income

$56,622

$95,150

+68% in Frederick, MD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$43,540

$71,060

+63% in Frederick, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.1 yr

37.1 yr

+2.0 yr in Frederick, MD

Homeownership

50.2%

59.2%

+9.0 pp in Frederick, MD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

29.7%

41.8%

+12.1 pp in Frederick, MD

Avg Commute

20.2 min

30.1 min

+9.9 min in Frederick, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

612.3

406

+34% in Columbus, GA

Property Crime

2,273.4

1,696.3

+25% in Columbus, GA

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

65.7°F

52.1°F

+13.6°F in Columbus, GA

Annual Precipitation

46.8 in

—

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.8

21.8

+37% in Frederick, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$33.28

$18.94

+43% in Columbus, GA

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 (GA / MD)

+2.0 pp in MD

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

6.50%

+1.3 pp in MD

Columbus vs Frederick — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Columbus or Frederick?: Columbus, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,080 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 34% below Frederick, MD's $1,640, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Columbus than in Frederick?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Columbus versus $57,000 in Frederick.
Which has lower taxes, Columbus or Frederick?: Columbus is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% 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).