Is it cheaper to live in Frederick or Norman?

Norman, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 37% below Frederick, MD's $1,640, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $57,000 a year in Frederick versus $35,000 in Norman.

Which has lower taxes, Frederick or Norman?

Frederick is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Norman under Oklahoma's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax).

Frederick vs Norman Cost of Living 2026

Frederick

Maryland

$1,640/mo est.

Norman

Oklahoma

$1,030/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 $1,030 in Norman, OK. Overall, Norman, OK is roughly 37% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Frederick, MD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $95,150 in Frederick, MD and $65,060 in Norman, OK — about 32% higher in Frederick, MD. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Oklahoma has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax.

Frederick, MD

Norman, OK

Rent

Studio

$1,658

$820

+51% in Frederick, MD

1 Bedroom

$1,418

$863

+39% in Frederick, MD

2 Bedroom

$1,661

$1,056

+36% in Frederick, MD

3 Bedroom

$1,863

$1,377

+26% in Frederick, MD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$365,200

$239,300

+34% in Frederick, MD

Income

Median Household Income

$95,150

$65,060

+32% in Frederick, MD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$71,060

$47,230

+34% in Frederick, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

37.1 yr

31.6 yr

+5.5 yr in Frederick, MD

Homeownership

59.2%

52.7%

+6.5 pp in Frederick, MD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

41.8%

46.2%

+4.4 pp in Norman, OK

Avg Commute

30.1 min

22.2 min

+7.9 min in Frederick, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

406

268.6

+34% in Frederick, MD

Property Crime

1,696.3

2,294.1

+35% in Norman, OK

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

61.5°F

+9.4°F in Norman, OK

Annual Precipitation

—

36.5 in

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Norman, OK

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.8

13.4

+39% in Frederick, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.94

$27.15

+43% in Norman, OK

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 / OK)

4.5%

+1.5 pp in MD

Income Tax (top rate)

6.50%

4.50%

+2.0 pp in MD

Frederick vs Norman — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Frederick or Norman?: Norman, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 37% below Frederick, MD's $1,640, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Frederick than in Norman?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $57,000 a year in Frederick versus $35,000 in Norman.
Which has lower taxes, Frederick or Norman?: Frederick is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Norman under Oklahoma's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% 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).