Is it cheaper to live in Frederick or Pittsburgh?

Pittsburgh, PA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,300 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 21% below Frederick, MD's $1,640, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $57,000 a year in Frederick versus $43,000 in Pittsburgh.

Which has lower taxes, Frederick or Pittsburgh?

Frederick is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Pittsburgh under Pennsylvania's (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax).

Frederick vs Pittsburgh Cost of Living 2026

Frederick

Maryland

$1,640/mo est.

Pittsburgh

Pennsylvania

$1,300/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 $1,300 in Pittsburgh, PA. Overall, Pittsburgh, PA is roughly 21% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Frederick, MD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $95,150 in Frederick, MD and $64,137 in Pittsburgh, PA — about 33% higher in Frederick, MD. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax.

Frederick, MD

Pittsburgh, PA

Rent

Studio

$1,658

$1,109

+33% in Frederick, MD

1 Bedroom

$1,418

$1,079

+24% in Frederick, MD

2 Bedroom

$1,661

$1,269

+24% in Frederick, MD

3 Bedroom

$1,863

$1,450

+22% in Frederick, MD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$365,200

$193,200

+47% in Frederick, MD

Income

Median Household Income

$95,150

$64,137

+33% in Frederick, MD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$71,060

$49,650

+30% in Frederick, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

37.1 yr

33.5 yr

+3.6 yr in Frederick, MD

Homeownership

59.2%

47.2%

+12.0 pp in Frederick, MD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

41.8%

47.8%

+6.0 pp in Pittsburgh, PA

Avg Commute

30.1 min

23.1 min

+7.0 min in Frederick, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

406

436

+7% in Pittsburgh, PA

Property Crime

1,696.3

2,315.7

+37% in Pittsburgh, PA

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

51.8°F

+0.3°F in Frederick, MD

Annual Precipitation

—

39.3 in

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.8

21.6

+1% in Frederick, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.94

$19.17

+1% in Pittsburgh, PA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Pittsburgh, PA

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.92

+10% in Pittsburgh, PA

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Frederick, MD

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.90

+7% in Pittsburgh, PA

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.19

+15% in Pittsburgh, PA

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Pittsburgh, PA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MD / PA)

about equal

Income Tax (top rate)

6.50%

3.07%

+3.4 pp in MD

Frederick vs Pittsburgh — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Frederick or Pittsburgh?: Pittsburgh, PA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,300 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 21% below Frederick, MD's $1,640, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Frederick than in Pittsburgh?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $57,000 a year in Frederick versus $43,000 in Pittsburgh.
Which has lower taxes, Frederick or Pittsburgh?: Frederick is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Pittsburgh under Pennsylvania's (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 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).