Is it cheaper to live in Dover or Frederick?

Dover, DE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,270 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 23% below Frederick, MD's $1,650, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $42,000 a year in Dover versus $57,000 in Frederick.

Which has lower taxes, Dover or Frederick?

Dover is taxed under Delaware's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no state sales tax); Frederick under Maryland's (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax).

Dover vs Frederick Cost of Living 2026

Dover

Delaware

$1,270/mo est.

Frederick

Maryland

$1,650/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,270 in Dover, DE versus $1,650 in Frederick, MD. Overall, Dover, DE is roughly 23% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Frederick, MD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $58,336 in Dover, DE and $95,150 in Frederick, MD — about 39% higher in Frederick, MD. Delaware has a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no state sales tax; Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax.

Dover, DE

Frederick, MD

Rent

Studio

$993

$1,658

+67% in Frederick, MD

1 Bedroom

$1,047

$1,418

+35% in Frederick, MD

2 Bedroom

$1,185

$1,661

+40% in Frederick, MD

3 Bedroom

$1,634

$1,863

+14% in Frederick, MD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$248,500

$365,200

+47% in Frederick, MD

Income

Median Household Income

$58,336

$95,150

+63% in Frederick, MD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$46,690

$71,060

+52% in Frederick, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.1 yr

37.1 yr

+2.0 yr in Frederick, MD

Homeownership

47.0%

59.2%

+12.2 pp in Frederick, MD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

27.1%

41.8%

+14.7 pp in Frederick, MD

Avg Commute

24.0 min

30.1 min

+6.1 min in Frederick, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,025.3

406

+60% in Dover, DE

Property Crime

6,159.1

1,696.3

+72% in Dover, DE

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

56.9°F

52.1°F

+4.8°F in Dover, DE

Annual Precipitation

46.0 in

—

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.3

21.8

+13% in Frederick, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$29.73

$22.57

+24% in Dover, DE

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 (DE / MD)

None

+6.0 pp in MD

Income Tax (top rate)

6.60%

6.50%

+0.1 pp in DE

Dover vs Frederick — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Dover or Frederick?: Dover, DE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,270 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 23% below Frederick, MD's $1,650, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Dover than in Frederick?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $42,000 a year in Dover versus $57,000 in Frederick.
Which has lower taxes, Dover or Frederick?: Dover is taxed under Delaware's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no 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).