Is it cheaper to live in Frederick or Newark?

Newark, DE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,620 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 2% below Frederick, MD's $1,650, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $57,000 a year in Frederick versus $56,000 in Newark.

Which has lower taxes, Frederick or Newark?

Frederick is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Newark under Delaware's (a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no state sales tax).

Frederick vs Newark Cost of Living 2026

Frederick

Maryland

$1,650/mo est.

Newark

Delaware

$1,620/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 $1,620 in Newark, DE. Overall, Newark, DE is roughly 2% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Frederick, MD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $95,150 in Frederick, MD and $71,373 in Newark, DE — about 25% higher in Frederick, MD. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Delaware has a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no state sales tax.

Frederick, MD

Newark, DE

Rent

Studio

$1,658

$1,649

+1% in Frederick, MD

1 Bedroom

$1,418

$1,391

+2% in Frederick, MD

2 Bedroom

$1,661

$1,513

+9% in Frederick, MD

3 Bedroom

$1,863

$1,916

+3% in Newark, DE

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$365,200

$357,600

+2% in Frederick, MD

Income

Median Household Income

$95,150

$71,373

+25% in Frederick, MD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$71,060

$54,310

+24% in Frederick, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

37.1 yr

22.0 yr

+15.1 yr in Frederick, MD

Homeownership

59.2%

50.3%

+8.9 pp in Frederick, MD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

41.8%

57.5%

+15.7 pp in Newark, DE

Avg Commute

30.1 min

19.6 min

+10.5 min in Frederick, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

406

326.3

+20% in Frederick, MD

Property Crime

1,696.3

2,024.6

+19% in Newark, DE

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

54.9°F

+2.8°F in Newark, DE

Annual Precipitation

—

43.1 in

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.8

19.3

+12% in Frederick, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.57

$29.73

+32% in Newark, DE

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.75

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MD / DE)

None

+6.0 pp in MD

Income Tax (top rate)

6.50%

6.60%

+0.1 pp in DE

Frederick vs Newark — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Frederick or Newark?: Newark, DE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,620 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 2% below Frederick, MD's $1,650, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Frederick than in Newark?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $57,000 a year in Frederick versus $56,000 in Newark.
Which has lower taxes, Frederick or Newark?: Frederick is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Newark under Delaware's (a top state income tax rate of 6.60% 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).