Is it cheaper to live in Denver or Frederick?

Frederick, MD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,640 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 6% below Denver, CO's $1,750, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Denver versus $57,000 in Frederick.

Which has lower taxes, Denver or Frederick?

Denver is taxed under Colorado's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax); Frederick under Maryland's (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax).

Denver vs Frederick Cost of Living 2026

Denver

Colorado

$1,750/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 $1,750 in Denver, CO versus $1,640 in Frederick, MD. Overall, Frederick, MD is roughly 6% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Denver, CO, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $91,681 in Denver, CO and $95,150 in Frederick, MD — about 4% higher in Frederick, MD. Colorado has a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax; Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax.

Denver, CO

Frederick, MD

Rent

Studio

$1,497

$1,658

+11% in Frederick, MD

1 Bedroom

$1,583

$1,418

+10% in Denver, CO

2 Bedroom

$1,958

$1,661

+15% in Denver, CO

3 Bedroom

$2,269

$1,863

+18% in Denver, CO

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$586,700

$365,200

+38% in Denver, CO

Income

Median Household Income

$91,681

$95,150

+4% in Frederick, MD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$62,320

$71,060

+14% in Frederick, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.2 yr

37.1 yr

+1.9 yr in Frederick, MD

Homeownership

49.1%

59.2%

+10.1 pp in Frederick, MD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

55.6%

41.8%

+13.8 pp in Denver, CO

Avg Commute

25.4 min

30.1 min

+4.7 min in Frederick, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

999.3

406

+59% in Denver, CO

Property Crime

4,781.1

1,696.3

+65% in Denver, CO

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

50.2°F

52.1°F

+1.9°F in Frederick, MD

Annual Precipitation

15.6 in

—

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.27/gal

$3.86/gal

+10% in Denver, CO

Area: Denver vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.75

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.2

21.8

+35% in Frederick, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.92

$18.94

+59% in Frederick, MD

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.00

+17% in Denver, CO

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.75

+14% in Denver, CO

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.21

+1% in Frederick, MD

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.45

+12% in Denver, CO

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$1.90

+6% in Denver, CO

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Denver, CO

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (CO / MD)

2.9%

+3.1 pp in MD

Income Tax (top rate)

4.40%

6.50%

+2.1 pp in MD

Denver vs Frederick — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Denver or Frederick?: Frederick, MD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,640 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 6% below Denver, CO's $1,750, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Denver than in Frederick?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Denver versus $57,000 in Frederick.
Which has lower taxes, Denver or Frederick?: Denver is taxed under Colorado's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% 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).