Is it cheaper to live in Frederick or Huntington?

Huntington, WV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 43% below Frederick, MD's $1,650, mainly because of rent.

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

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 Huntington.

Which has lower taxes, Frederick or Huntington?

Frederick is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Huntington under West Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 4.82% and a 6% state sales tax).

Frederick vs Huntington Cost of Living 2026

Frederick

Maryland

$1,650/mo est.

Huntington

West Virginia

$940/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 $940 in Huntington, WV. Overall, Huntington, WV is roughly 43% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Frederick, MD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $95,150 in Frederick, MD and $43,146 in Huntington, WV — about 55% higher in Frederick, MD. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; West Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 4.82% and a 6% state sales tax.

Frederick, MD

Huntington, WV

Rent

Studio

$1,658

$762

+54% in Frederick, MD

1 Bedroom

$1,418

$758

+47% in Frederick, MD

2 Bedroom

$1,661

$881

+47% in Frederick, MD

3 Bedroom

$1,863

$1,121

+40% in Frederick, MD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$365,200

$118,800

+67% in Frederick, MD

Income

Median Household Income

$95,150

$43,146

+55% in Frederick, MD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$71,060

$44,600

+37% in Frederick, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

37.1 yr

34.9 yr

+2.2 yr in Frederick, MD

Homeownership

59.2%

52.5%

+6.7 pp in Frederick, MD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

41.8%

34.5%

+7.3 pp in Frederick, MD

Avg Commute

30.1 min

18.6 min

+11.5 min in Frederick, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

406

800.3

+97% in Huntington, WV

Property Crime

1,696.3

3,617.9

+113% in Huntington, WV

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

55.7°F

+3.6°F in Huntington, WV

Annual Precipitation

—

42.6 in

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.8

15.4

+29% in Frederick, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.57

$24.68

+9% in Huntington, WV

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 / WV)

about equal

Income Tax (top rate)

6.50%

4.82%

+1.7 pp in MD

Frederick vs Huntington — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Frederick or Huntington?: Huntington, WV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 43% below Frederick, MD's $1,650, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Frederick than in Huntington?: 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 Huntington.
Which has lower taxes, Frederick or Huntington?: Frederick is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Huntington under West Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 4.82% 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).