Is it cheaper to live in Frederick or Laramie?

Laramie, WY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $890 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 46% below Frederick, MD's $1,650, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $57,000 a year in Frederick versus $29,000 in Laramie.

Which has lower taxes, Frederick or Laramie?

Frederick is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Laramie under Wyoming's (no state income tax and a 4% state sales tax).

Frederick vs Laramie Cost of Living 2026

Frederick

Maryland

$1,650/mo est.

Laramie

Wyoming

$890/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 $890 in Laramie, WY. Overall, Laramie, WY is roughly 46% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Frederick, MD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $95,150 in Frederick, MD and $52,414 in Laramie, WY — about 45% higher in Frederick, MD. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Wyoming has no state income tax and a 4% state sales tax.

Frederick, MD

Laramie, WY

Rent

Studio

$1,658

$667

+60% in Frederick, MD

1 Bedroom

$1,418

$728

+49% in Frederick, MD

2 Bedroom

$1,661

$883

+47% in Frederick, MD

3 Bedroom

$1,863

$1,423

+24% in Frederick, MD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$365,200

$302,200

+17% in Frederick, MD

Income

Median Household Income

$95,150

$52,414

+45% in Frederick, MD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$71,060

—

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

37.1 yr

26.9 yr

+10.2 yr in Frederick, MD

Homeownership

59.2%

44.1%

+15.1 pp in Frederick, MD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

41.8%

55.8%

+14.0 pp in Laramie, WY

Avg Commute

30.1 min

13.5 min

+16.6 min in Frederick, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

406

129.6

+68% in Frederick, MD

Property Crime

1,696.3

1,175.9

+31% 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

41.0°F

+11.1°F in Frederick, MD

Annual Precipitation

—

10.9 in

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$4.27/gal

+8% in Laramie, WY

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.8

15.2

+30% in Frederick, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.57

$18.28

+19% in Frederick, MD

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Laramie, WY

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Laramie, WY

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Frederick, MD

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Laramie, WY

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Laramie, WY

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Laramie, WY

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MD / WY)

+2.0 pp in MD

Income Tax (top rate)

6.50%

None

+6.5 pp in MD

Frederick vs Laramie — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Frederick or Laramie?: Laramie, WY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $890 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 46% below Frederick, MD's $1,650, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Frederick than in Laramie?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $57,000 a year in Frederick versus $29,000 in Laramie.
Which has lower taxes, Frederick or Laramie?: Frederick is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Laramie under Wyoming's (no state income tax and a 4% 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).