Is it cheaper to live in Frederick or Jackson?

Jackson, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,010 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 38% below Frederick, MD's $1,640, mainly because of rent.

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

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 Jackson.

Which has lower taxes, Frederick or Jackson?

Frederick is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Jackson under Mississippi's (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax).

Frederick vs Jackson Cost of Living 2026

Frederick

Maryland

$1,640/mo est.

Jackson

Mississippi

$1,010/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 $1,010 in Jackson, MS. Overall, Jackson, MS is roughly 38% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Frederick, MD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $95,150 in Frederick, MD and $43,238 in Jackson, MS — about 55% higher in Frederick, MD. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Mississippi has a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax.

Frederick, MD

Jackson, MS

Rent

Studio

$1,658

$1,085

+35% in Frederick, MD

1 Bedroom

$1,418

$816

+42% in Frederick, MD

2 Bedroom

$1,661

$991

+40% in Frederick, MD

3 Bedroom

$1,863

$1,121

+40% in Frederick, MD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$365,200

$108,200

+70% in Frederick, MD

Income

Median Household Income

$95,150

$43,238

+55% in Frederick, MD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$71,060

$42,850

+40% in Frederick, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

37.1 yr

34.7 yr

+2.4 yr in Frederick, MD

Homeownership

59.2%

48.6%

+10.6 pp in Frederick, MD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

41.8%

28.6%

+13.2 pp in Frederick, MD

Avg Commute

30.1 min

20.2 min

+9.9 min in Frederick, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

406

—

Property Crime

1,696.3

—

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

65.3°F

+13.2°F in Jackson, MS

Annual Precipitation

—

54.3 in

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$3.62/gal

+6% in Frederick, MD

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.8

16.2

+26% in Frederick, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.94

$27.68

+46% in Jackson, MS

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 / MS)

+1.0 pp in MS

Income Tax (top rate)

6.50%

4.00%

+2.5 pp in MD

Frederick vs Jackson — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Frederick or Jackson?: Jackson, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,010 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 38% below Frederick, MD's $1,640, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Frederick than in Jackson?: 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 Jackson.
Which has lower taxes, Frederick or Jackson?: Frederick is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Jackson under Mississippi's (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% 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).