Is it cheaper to live in Frederick or Juneau?

Juneau, AK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,530 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 7% below Frederick, MD's $1,650, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $57,000 a year in Frederick versus $50,000 in Juneau.

Which has lower taxes, Frederick or Juneau?

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

Frederick vs Juneau Cost of Living 2026

Frederick

Maryland

$1,650/mo est.

Juneau

Alaska

$1,530/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 $1,530 in Juneau, AK. Overall, Juneau, AK is roughly 7% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Frederick, MD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $95,150 in Frederick, MD and $100,513 in Juneau, AK — about 5% higher in Juneau, AK. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Alaska has no state income tax and no state sales tax.

Frederick, MD

Juneau, AK

Rent

Studio

$1,658

$993

+40% in Frederick, MD

1 Bedroom

$1,418

$1,257

+11% in Frederick, MD

2 Bedroom

$1,661

$1,647

+1% in Frederick, MD

3 Bedroom

$1,863

$1,949

+5% in Juneau, AK

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$365,200

$432,500

+18% in Juneau, AK

Income

Median Household Income

$95,150

$100,513

+6% in Juneau, AK

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$71,060

—

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

37.1 yr

39.8 yr

+2.7 yr in Juneau, AK

Homeownership

59.2%

64.4%

+5.2 pp in Juneau, AK

Bachelor's+ (25+)

41.8%

40.5%

+1.3 pp in Frederick, MD

Avg Commute

30.1 min

15.8 min

+14.3 min in Frederick, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

406

515.6

+27% in Juneau, AK

Property Crime

1,696.3

2,113.1

+25% in Juneau, AK

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

42.1°F

+10.0°F in Frederick, MD

Annual Precipitation

—

62.3 in

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$5.21/gal

+32% in Juneau, AK

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs West Coast (PADD 5).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.8

28.2

+29% in Juneau, AK

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.57

$17.35

+23% in Frederick, MD

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Juneau, AK

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Juneau, AK

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Frederick, MD

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Juneau, AK

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Juneau, AK

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Juneau, AK

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MD / AK)

None

+6.0 pp in MD

Income Tax (top rate)

6.50%

None

+6.5 pp in MD

Frederick vs Juneau — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Frederick or Juneau?: Juneau, AK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,530 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 7% below Frederick, MD's $1,650, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Frederick than in Juneau?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $57,000 a year in Frederick versus $50,000 in Juneau.
Which has lower taxes, Frederick or Juneau?: Frederick is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Juneau under Alaska's (no state income tax and no 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).