Is it cheaper to live in Frederick or Las Vegas?

Las Vegas, NV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,320 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 20% below Frederick, MD's $1,640, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $57,000 a year in Frederick versus $47,000 in Las Vegas.

Which has lower taxes, Frederick or Las Vegas?

Frederick is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Las Vegas under Nevada's (no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax).

Frederick vs Las Vegas Cost of Living 2026

Frederick

Maryland

$1,640/mo est.

Las Vegas

Nevada

$1,320/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 $1,320 in Las Vegas, NV. Overall, Las Vegas, NV is roughly 20% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Frederick, MD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $95,150 in Frederick, MD and $70,723 in Las Vegas, NV — about 26% higher in Frederick, MD. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Nevada has no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax.

Frederick, MD

Las Vegas, NV

Rent

Studio

$1,658

$992

+40% in Frederick, MD

1 Bedroom

$1,418

$1,181

+17% in Frederick, MD

2 Bedroom

$1,661

$1,401

+16% in Frederick, MD

3 Bedroom

$1,863

$1,740

+7% in Frederick, MD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$365,200

$395,300

+8% in Las Vegas, NV

Income

Median Household Income

$95,150

$70,723

+26% in Frederick, MD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$71,060

$46,670

+34% in Frederick, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

37.1 yr

38.5 yr

+1.4 yr in Las Vegas, NV

Homeownership

59.2%

55.7%

+3.5 pp in Frederick, MD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

41.8%

27.3%

+14.5 pp in Frederick, MD

Avg Commute

30.1 min

25.8 min

+4.3 min in Frederick, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

406

433.3

+7% in Las Vegas, NV

Property Crime

1,696.3

2,642.1

+56% in Las Vegas, NV

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

68.4°F

+16.3°F in Las Vegas, NV

Annual Precipitation

—

5.4 in

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$5.09/gal

+32% in Las Vegas, NV

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

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$2.00

Adult base one-way fare — — vs RTC (residential routes) (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.8

13.6

+38% in Frederick, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.94

$12.09

+36% in Frederick, MD

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Las Vegas, NV

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Las Vegas, NV

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Frederick, MD

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Las Vegas, NV

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Las Vegas, NV

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Las Vegas, NV

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MD / NV)

6.85%

+0.8 pp in NV

Income Tax (top rate)

6.50%

None

+6.5 pp in MD

Frederick vs Las Vegas — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Frederick or Las Vegas?: Las Vegas, NV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,320 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 20% below Frederick, MD's $1,640, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Frederick than in Las Vegas?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $57,000 a year in Frederick versus $47,000 in Las Vegas.
Which has lower taxes, Frederick or Las Vegas?: Frederick is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Las Vegas under Nevada's (no state income tax and a 6.85% 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).