Is it cheaper to live in Frederick or Manchester?

Manchester, NH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,430 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 13% below Frederick, MD's $1,640, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $57,000 a year in Frederick versus $46,000 in Manchester.

Which has lower taxes, Frederick or Manchester?

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

Frederick vs Manchester Cost of Living 2026

Frederick

Maryland

$1,640/mo est.

Manchester

New Hampshire

$1,430/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 $1,430 in Manchester, NH. Overall, Manchester, NH is roughly 13% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Frederick, MD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $95,150 in Frederick, MD and $77,415 in Manchester, NH — about 19% higher in Frederick, MD. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; New Hampshire has no state income tax and no state sales tax.

Frederick, MD

Manchester, NH

Rent

Studio

$1,658

$880

+47% in Frederick, MD

1 Bedroom

$1,418

$1,150

+19% in Frederick, MD

2 Bedroom

$1,661

$1,593

+4% in Frederick, MD

3 Bedroom

$1,863

$1,661

+11% in Frederick, MD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$365,200

$336,300

+8% in Frederick, MD

Income

Median Household Income

$95,150

$77,415

+19% in Frederick, MD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$71,060

$56,530

+20% in Frederick, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

37.1 yr

37.9 yr

+0.8 yr in Manchester, NH

Homeownership

59.2%

49.3%

+9.9 pp in Frederick, MD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

41.8%

33.5%

+8.3 pp in Frederick, MD

Avg Commute

30.1 min

23.8 min

+6.3 min in Frederick, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

406

339.5

+16% in Frederick, MD

Property Crime

1,696.3

1,691.4

+0% 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

49.2°F

+2.9°F in Frederick, MD

Annual Precipitation

—

44.6 in

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.8

27.3

+26% in Manchester, NH

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.94

$24.53

+30% in Manchester, NH

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Manchester, NH

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.92

+10% in Manchester, NH

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Frederick, MD

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.90

+7% in Manchester, NH

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.19

+15% in Manchester, NH

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Manchester, NH

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MD / NH)

None

+6.0 pp in MD

Income Tax (top rate)

6.50%

None

+6.5 pp in MD

Frederick vs Manchester — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Frederick or Manchester?: Manchester, NH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,430 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 13% below Frederick, MD's $1,640, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Frederick than in Manchester?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $57,000 a year in Frederick versus $46,000 in Manchester.
Which has lower taxes, Frederick or Manchester?: Frederick is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Manchester under New Hampshire'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).