Is it cheaper to live in Frederick or Houston?

Houston, TX is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,360 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 17% below Frederick, MD's $1,640, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $57,000 a year in Frederick versus $46,000 in Houston.

Which has lower taxes, Frederick or Houston?

Frederick is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Houston under Texas's (no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax).

Frederick vs Houston Cost of Living 2026

Frederick

Maryland

$1,640/mo est.

Houston

Texas

$1,360/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,640 in Frederick, MD versus $1,360 in Houston, TX. Overall, Houston, TX is roughly 17% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Frederick, MD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $95,150 in Frederick, MD and $62,894 in Houston, TX — about 34% higher in Frederick, MD. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Texas has no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax.

Frederick, MD

Houston, TX

Rent

Studio

$1,658

$1,142

+31% in Frederick, MD

1 Bedroom

$1,418

$1,156

+18% in Frederick, MD

2 Bedroom

$1,661

$1,375

+17% in Frederick, MD

3 Bedroom

$1,863

$1,664

+11% in Frederick, MD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$365,200

$253,400

+31% in Frederick, MD

Income

Median Household Income

$95,150

$62,894

+34% in Frederick, MD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$71,060

$49,410

+30% in Frederick, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

37.1 yr

34.3 yr

+2.8 yr in Frederick, MD

Homeownership

59.2%

42.0%

+17.2 pp in Frederick, MD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

41.8%

36.0%

+5.8 pp in Frederick, MD

Avg Commute

30.1 min

27.3 min

+2.8 min in Frederick, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

406

1,153.8

+184% in Houston, TX

Property Crime

1,696.3

4,324.9

+155% in Houston, TX

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

70.3°F

+18.2°F in Houston, TX

Annual Precipitation

—

54.6 in

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$3.52/gal

+9% in Frederick, MD

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Houston.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$1.25

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.8

16.4

+24% in Frederick, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.94

$30.48

+61% in Houston, TX

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 (MD / TX)

6.25%

+0.3 pp in TX

Income Tax (top rate)

6.50%

None

+6.5 pp in MD

Frederick vs Houston — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Frederick or Houston?: Houston, TX is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,360 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 17% below Frederick, MD's $1,640, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Frederick than in Houston?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $57,000 a year in Frederick versus $46,000 in Houston.
Which has lower taxes, Frederick or Houston?: Frederick is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Houston under Texas's (no state income tax and a 6.25% 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).