Is it cheaper to live in Frederick or Lincoln?

Lincoln, NE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 37% below Frederick, MD's $1,640, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $57,000 a year in Frederick versus $35,000 in Lincoln.

Which has lower taxes, Frederick or Lincoln?

Frederick is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Lincoln under Nebraska's (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax).

Frederick vs Lincoln Cost of Living 2026

Frederick

Maryland

$1,640/mo est.

Lincoln

Nebraska

$1,030/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 $1,030 in Lincoln, NE. Overall, Lincoln, NE is roughly 37% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Frederick, MD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $95,150 in Frederick, MD and $69,991 in Lincoln, NE — about 26% higher in Frederick, MD. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Nebraska has a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax.

Frederick, MD

Lincoln, NE

Rent

Studio

$1,658

$851

+49% in Frederick, MD

1 Bedroom

$1,418

$879

+38% in Frederick, MD

2 Bedroom

$1,661

$1,070

+36% in Frederick, MD

3 Bedroom

$1,863

$1,379

+26% in Frederick, MD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$365,200

$248,200

+32% in Frederick, MD

Income

Median Household Income

$95,150

$69,991

+26% in Frederick, MD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$71,060

$49,800

+30% in Frederick, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

37.1 yr

33.4 yr

+3.7 yr in Frederick, MD

Homeownership

59.2%

55.8%

+3.4 pp in Frederick, MD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

41.8%

41.0%

+0.8 pp in Frederick, MD

Avg Commute

30.1 min

18.3 min

+11.8 min in Frederick, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

406

363.1

+11% in Frederick, MD

Property Crime

1,696.3

2,484.4

+46% in Lincoln, NE

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

51.5°F

+0.6°F in Frederick, MD

Annual Precipitation

—

30.9 in

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Lincoln, NE

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.8

13.6

+38% in Frederick, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.94

$15.53

+18% in Frederick, MD

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Lincoln, NE

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.66

+5% in Frederick, MD

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$3.63

+64% in Lincoln, NE

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.77

+5% in Lincoln, NE

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.10

+10% in Lincoln, NE

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MD / NE)

5.5%

+0.5 pp in MD

Income Tax (top rate)

6.50%

4.55%

+2.0 pp in MD

Frederick vs Lincoln — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Frederick or Lincoln?: Lincoln, NE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 37% below Frederick, MD's $1,640, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Frederick than in Lincoln?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $57,000 a year in Frederick versus $35,000 in Lincoln.
Which has lower taxes, Frederick or Lincoln?: Frederick is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Lincoln under Nebraska's (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% 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).