Is it cheaper to live in Frederick or Missoula?

Missoula, MT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,100 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 33% below Frederick, MD's $1,650, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $57,000 a year in Frederick versus $38,000 in Missoula.

Which has lower taxes, Frederick or Missoula?

Frederick is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Missoula under Montana's (a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax).

Frederick vs Missoula Cost of Living 2026

Frederick

Maryland

$1,650/mo est.

Missoula

Montana

$1,100/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 $1,100 in Missoula, MT. Overall, Missoula, MT is roughly 33% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Frederick, MD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $95,150 in Frederick, MD and $65,329 in Missoula, MT — about 31% higher in Frederick, MD. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Montana has a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax.

Frederick, MD

Missoula, MT

Rent

Studio

$1,658

$755

+54% in Frederick, MD

1 Bedroom

$1,418

$953

+33% in Frederick, MD

2 Bedroom

$1,661

$1,176

+29% in Frederick, MD

3 Bedroom

$1,863

$1,676

+10% in Frederick, MD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$365,200

$427,400

+17% in Missoula, MT

Income

Median Household Income

$95,150

$65,329

+31% in Frederick, MD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$71,060

$47,830

+33% in Frederick, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

37.1 yr

34.3 yr

+2.8 yr in Frederick, MD

Homeownership

59.2%

47.8%

+11.4 pp in Frederick, MD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

41.8%

51.7%

+9.9 pp in Missoula, MT

Avg Commute

30.1 min

16.6 min

+13.5 min in Frederick, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

406

601.9

+48% in Missoula, MT

Property Crime

1,696.3

3,685.2

+117% in Missoula, MT

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

45.9°F

+6.2°F in Frederick, MD

Annual Precipitation

—

14.1 in

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$4.27/gal

+8% in Missoula, MT

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.8

15.1

+31% in Frederick, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.57

$10.12

+55% in Frederick, MD

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Missoula, MT

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Missoula, MT

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Frederick, MD

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Missoula, MT

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Missoula, MT

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Missoula, MT

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MD / MT)

None

+6.0 pp in MD

Income Tax (top rate)

6.50%

5.65%

+0.8 pp in MD

Frederick vs Missoula — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Frederick or Missoula?: Missoula, MT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,100 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 33% below Frederick, MD's $1,650, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Frederick than in Missoula?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $57,000 a year in Frederick versus $38,000 in Missoula.
Which has lower taxes, Frederick or Missoula?: Frederick is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Missoula under Montana's (a top state income tax rate of 5.65% 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).