Is it cheaper to live in Frederick or Idaho Falls?

Idaho Falls, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 41% below Frederick, MD's $1,650, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $57,000 a year in Frederick versus $33,000 in Idaho Falls.

Which has lower taxes, Frederick or Idaho Falls?

Frederick is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Idaho Falls under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax).

Frederick vs Idaho Falls Cost of Living 2026

Frederick

Maryland

$1,650/mo est.

Idaho Falls

Idaho

$970/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 $970 in Idaho Falls, ID. Overall, Idaho Falls, ID is roughly 41% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Frederick, MD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $95,150 in Frederick, MD and $69,630 in Idaho Falls, ID — about 27% higher in Frederick, MD. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax.

Frederick, MD

Idaho Falls, ID

Rent

Studio

$1,658

$818

+51% in Frederick, MD

1 Bedroom

$1,418

$827

+42% in Frederick, MD

2 Bedroom

$1,661

$957

+42% in Frederick, MD

3 Bedroom

$1,863

$1,278

+31% in Frederick, MD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$365,200

$298,600

+18% in Frederick, MD

Income

Median Household Income

$95,150

$69,630

+27% in Frederick, MD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$71,060

$46,800

+34% in Frederick, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

37.1 yr

33.5 yr

+3.6 yr in Frederick, MD

Homeownership

59.2%

64.1%

+4.9 pp in Idaho Falls, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

41.8%

31.0%

+10.8 pp in Frederick, MD

Avg Commute

30.1 min

18.2 min

+11.9 min in Frederick, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

406

365.3

+10% in Frederick, MD

Property Crime

1,696.3

1,235.5

+27% in Frederick, MD

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

44.2°F

+7.9°F in Frederick, MD

Annual Precipitation

—

10.4 in

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$4.27/gal

+8% in Idaho Falls, ID

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Rocky Mountain (PADD 4).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.8

14.4

+34% in Frederick, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.57

$11.33

+50% in Frederick, MD

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Idaho Falls, ID

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Idaho Falls, ID

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Frederick, MD

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Idaho Falls, ID

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Idaho Falls, ID

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Idaho Falls, ID

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MD / ID)

about equal

Income Tax (top rate)

6.50%

5.30%

+1.2 pp in MD

Frederick vs Idaho Falls — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Frederick or Idaho Falls?: Idaho Falls, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 41% below Frederick, MD's $1,650, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Frederick than in Idaho Falls?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $57,000 a year in Frederick versus $33,000 in Idaho Falls.
Which has lower taxes, Frederick or Idaho Falls?: Frederick is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Idaho Falls under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% 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).