Is it cheaper to live in Frederick or Meridian?

Frederick, MD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,650 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 2% below Meridian, ID's $1,690, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $57,000 a year in Frederick versus $62,000 in Meridian.

Which has lower taxes, Frederick or Meridian?

Frederick is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Meridian under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax).

Frederick vs Meridian Cost of Living 2026

Frederick

Maryland

$1,650/mo est.

Meridian

Idaho

$1,690/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 $1,690 in Meridian, ID. Overall, Frederick, MD is roughly 2% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Meridian, ID, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $95,150 in Frederick, MD and $98,686 in Meridian, ID — about 4% higher in Meridian, ID. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax.

Frederick, MD

Meridian, ID

Rent

Studio

$1,658

$1,523

+8% in Frederick, MD

1 Bedroom

$1,418

$1,540

+9% in Meridian, ID

2 Bedroom

$1,661

$1,489

+10% in Frederick, MD

3 Bedroom

$1,863

$1,893

+2% in Meridian, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$365,200

$485,000

+33% in Meridian, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$95,150

$98,686

+4% in Meridian, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$71,060

$49,100

+31% in Frederick, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

37.1 yr

37.4 yr

+0.3 yr in Meridian, ID

Homeownership

59.2%

76.1%

+16.9 pp in Meridian, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

41.8%

44.4%

+2.6 pp in Meridian, ID

Avg Commute

30.1 min

22.3 min

+7.8 min in Frederick, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

406

150.3

+63% in Frederick, MD

Property Crime

1,696.3

583.5

+66% 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

52.5°F

+0.4°F in Meridian, ID

Annual Precipitation

—

11.7 in

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$4.27/gal

+8% in Meridian, ID

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.8

14.4

+34% in Frederick, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.57

$11.33

+50% in Frederick, MD

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Meridian, ID

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Meridian, ID

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Frederick, MD

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Meridian, ID

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Meridian, ID

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Meridian, ID

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MD / ID)

about equal

Income Tax (top rate)

6.50%

5.30%

+1.2 pp in MD

Frederick vs Meridian — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Frederick or Meridian?: Frederick, MD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,650 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 2% below Meridian, ID's $1,690, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Frederick than in Meridian?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $57,000 a year in Frederick versus $62,000 in Meridian.
Which has lower taxes, Frederick or Meridian?: Frederick is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Meridian under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% 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).