Is it cheaper to live in Frederick or Phoenix?

Phoenix, AZ is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,430 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 13% below Frederick, MD's $1,640, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $57,000 a year in Frederick versus $50,000 in Phoenix.

Which has lower taxes, Frederick or Phoenix?

Frederick is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Phoenix under Arizona's (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% state sales tax).

Frederick vs Phoenix Cost of Living 2026

Frederick

Maryland

$1,640/mo est.

Phoenix

Arizona

$1,430/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 $1,430 in Phoenix, AZ. Overall, Phoenix, AZ is roughly 13% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Frederick, MD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $95,150 in Frederick, MD and $77,041 in Phoenix, AZ — about 19% higher in Frederick, MD. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Arizona has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% state sales tax.

Frederick, MD

Phoenix, AZ

Rent

Studio

$1,658

$1,127

+32% in Frederick, MD

1 Bedroom

$1,418

$1,253

+12% in Frederick, MD

2 Bedroom

$1,661

$1,493

+10% in Frederick, MD

3 Bedroom

$1,863

$1,771

+5% in Frederick, MD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$365,200

$381,900

+5% in Phoenix, AZ

Income

Median Household Income

$95,150

$77,041

+19% in Frederick, MD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$71,060

$51,380

+28% in Frederick, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

37.1 yr

34.8 yr

+2.3 yr in Frederick, MD

Homeownership

59.2%

57.1%

+2.1 pp in Frederick, MD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

41.8%

32.3%

+9.5 pp in Frederick, MD

Avg Commute

30.1 min

25.7 min

+4.4 min in Frederick, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

406

799.6

+97% in Phoenix, AZ

Property Crime

1,696.3

2,338.9

+38% in Phoenix, AZ

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

75.1°F

+23.0°F in Phoenix, AZ

Annual Precipitation

—

8.2 in

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$5.09/gal

+32% in Phoenix, AZ

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs West Coast (PADD 5).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$2.00

Adult base one-way fare — — vs Valley Metro (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.8

15.2

+30% in Frederick, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.94

$22.44

+18% in Phoenix, AZ

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Phoenix, AZ

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Phoenix, AZ

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Frederick, MD

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Phoenix, AZ

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Phoenix, AZ

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Phoenix, AZ

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MD / AZ)

5.6%

+0.4 pp in MD

Income Tax (top rate)

6.50%

2.50%

+4.0 pp in MD

Frederick vs Phoenix — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Frederick or Phoenix?: Phoenix, AZ is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,430 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 13% below Frederick, MD's $1,640, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Frederick than in Phoenix?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $57,000 a year in Frederick versus $50,000 in Phoenix.
Which has lower taxes, Frederick or Phoenix?: Frederick is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Phoenix under Arizona's (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% 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).