Is it cheaper to live in Frederick or Grand Forks?

Grand Forks, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 44% below Frederick, MD's $1,650, mainly because of rent.

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

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

Which has lower taxes, Frederick or Grand Forks?

Frederick is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Grand Forks under North Dakota's (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax).

Frederick vs Grand Forks Cost of Living 2026

Frederick

Maryland

$1,650/mo est.

Grand Forks

North Dakota

$920/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,650 in Frederick, MD versus $920 in Grand Forks, ND. Overall, Grand Forks, ND is roughly 44% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Frederick, MD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $95,150 in Frederick, MD and $63,838 in Grand Forks, ND — about 33% higher in Frederick, MD. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax.

Frederick, MD

Grand Forks, ND

Rent

Studio

$1,658

$784

+53% in Frederick, MD

1 Bedroom

$1,418

$761

+46% in Frederick, MD

2 Bedroom

$1,661

$947

+43% in Frederick, MD

3 Bedroom

$1,863

$1,371

+26% in Frederick, MD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$365,200

$243,300

+33% in Frederick, MD

Income

Median Household Income

$95,150

$63,838

+33% in Frederick, MD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$71,060

$49,760

+30% in Frederick, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

37.1 yr

29.4 yr

+7.7 yr in Frederick, MD

Homeownership

59.2%

46.5%

+12.7 pp in Frederick, MD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

41.8%

39.2%

+2.6 pp in Frederick, MD

Avg Commute

30.1 min

14.8 min

+15.3 min in Frederick, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

406

360.3

+11% in Frederick, MD

Property Crime

1,696.3

2,290.6

+35% in Grand Forks, ND

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

52.1°F

40.0°F

+12.1°F in Frederick, MD

Annual Precipitation

—

20.8 in

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.85/gal

+2% in Frederick, MD

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.8

14.1

+35% in Frederick, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.57

$18.21

+19% in Frederick, MD

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Grand Forks, ND

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.66

+5% in Frederick, MD

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$3.63

+64% in Grand Forks, ND

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.77

+5% in Grand Forks, ND

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.10

+10% in Grand Forks, ND

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MD / ND)

+1.0 pp in MD

Income Tax (top rate)

6.50%

2.50%

+4.0 pp in MD

Frederick vs Grand Forks — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Frederick or Grand Forks?: Grand Forks, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 44% below Frederick, MD's $1,650, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Frederick than in Grand Forks?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $57,000 a year in Frederick versus $30,000 in Grand Forks.
Which has lower taxes, Frederick or Grand Forks?: Frederick is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Grand Forks under North Dakota's (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% 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).