Is it cheaper to live in Frederick or Madison?

Madison, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,410 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 14% below Frederick, MD's $1,640, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $57,000 a year in Frederick versus $49,000 in Madison.

Which has lower taxes, Frederick or Madison?

Frederick is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Madison under Wisconsin's (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax).

Frederick vs Madison Cost of Living 2026

Frederick

Maryland

$1,640/mo est.

Madison

Wisconsin

$1,410/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 $1,410 in Madison, WI. Overall, Madison, WI is roughly 14% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Frederick, MD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $95,150 in Frederick, MD and $76,983 in Madison, WI — about 19% higher in Frederick, MD. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax.

Frederick, MD

Madison, WI

Rent

Studio

$1,658

$1,018

+39% in Frederick, MD

1 Bedroom

$1,418

$1,219

+14% in Frederick, MD

2 Bedroom

$1,661

$1,432

+14% in Frederick, MD

3 Bedroom

$1,863

$1,766

+5% in Frederick, MD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$365,200

$346,900

+5% in Frederick, MD

Income

Median Household Income

$95,150

$76,983

+19% in Frederick, MD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$71,060

$58,080

+18% in Frederick, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

37.1 yr

31.8 yr

+5.3 yr in Frederick, MD

Homeownership

59.2%

46.6%

+12.6 pp in Frederick, MD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

41.8%

59.2%

+17.4 pp in Madison, WI

Avg Commute

30.1 min

19.4 min

+10.7 min in Frederick, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

406

259.5

+36% in Frederick, MD

Property Crime

1,696.3

1,884.5

+11% in Madison, WI

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

46.5°F

+5.6°F in Frederick, MD

Annual Precipitation

—

34.5 in

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Madison, WI

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.8

19.7

+9% in Frederick, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.94

$11.79

+38% in Frederick, MD

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Madison, WI

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.66

+5% in Frederick, MD

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$3.63

+64% in Madison, WI

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.77

+5% in Madison, WI

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.10

+10% in Madison, WI

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MD / WI)

+1.0 pp in MD

Income Tax (top rate)

6.50%

7.65%

+1.2 pp in WI

Frederick vs Madison — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Frederick or Madison?: Madison, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,410 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 14% below Frederick, MD's $1,640, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Frederick than in Madison?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $57,000 a year in Frederick versus $49,000 in Madison.
Which has lower taxes, Frederick or Madison?: Frederick is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Madison under Wisconsin's (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 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).