Is it cheaper to live in Frederick or Norfolk?

Norfolk, VA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,230 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 25% below Frederick, MD's $1,640, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $57,000 a year in Frederick versus $41,000 in Norfolk.

Which has lower taxes, Frederick or Norfolk?

Frederick is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Norfolk under Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax).

Frederick vs Norfolk Cost of Living 2026

Frederick

Maryland

$1,640/mo est.

Norfolk

Virginia

$1,230/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 $1,230 in Norfolk, VA. Overall, Norfolk, VA is roughly 25% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Frederick, MD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $95,150 in Frederick, MD and $64,017 in Norfolk, VA — about 33% higher in Frederick, MD. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax.

Frederick, MD

Norfolk, VA

Rent

Studio

$1,658

$1,102

+34% in Frederick, MD

1 Bedroom

$1,418

$1,032

+27% in Frederick, MD

2 Bedroom

$1,661

$1,214

+27% in Frederick, MD

3 Bedroom

$1,863

$1,602

+14% in Frederick, MD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$365,200

$271,900

+26% in Frederick, MD

Income

Median Household Income

$95,150

$64,017

+33% in Frederick, MD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$71,060

$49,430

+30% in Frederick, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

37.1 yr

32.4 yr

+4.7 yr in Frederick, MD

Homeownership

59.2%

45.7%

+13.5 pp in Frederick, MD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

41.8%

32.7%

+9.1 pp in Frederick, MD

Avg Commute

30.1 min

22.9 min

+7.2 min in Frederick, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

406

479.5

+18% in Norfolk, VA

Property Crime

1,696.3

3,800.7

+124% in Norfolk, VA

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

61.3°F

+9.2°F in Norfolk, VA

Annual Precipitation

—

44.8 in

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.8

17.6

+19% in Frederick, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.94

$23.66

+25% in Norfolk, VA

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 / VA)

5.3%

+0.7 pp in MD

Income Tax (top rate)

6.50%

5.75%

+0.8 pp in MD

Frederick vs Norfolk — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Frederick or Norfolk?: Norfolk, VA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,230 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 25% below Frederick, MD's $1,640, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Frederick than in Norfolk?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $57,000 a year in Frederick versus $41,000 in Norfolk.
Which has lower taxes, Frederick or Norfolk?: Frederick is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Norfolk under Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% 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).