Is it cheaper to live in Frederick or Providence?

Providence, RI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,310 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 20% below Frederick, MD's $1,640, mainly because of rent.

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

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 Providence.

Which has lower taxes, Frederick or Providence?

Frederick is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Providence under Rhode Island's (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax).

Frederick vs Providence Cost of Living 2026

Frederick

Maryland

$1,640/mo est.

Providence

Rhode Island

$1,310/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 $1,310 in Providence, RI. Overall, Providence, RI is roughly 20% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Frederick, MD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $95,150 in Frederick, MD and $66,772 in Providence, RI — about 30% higher in Frederick, MD. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Rhode Island has a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax.

Frederick, MD

Providence, RI

Rent

Studio

$1,658

$1,116

+33% in Frederick, MD

1 Bedroom

$1,418

$1,030

+27% in Frederick, MD

2 Bedroom

$1,661

$1,323

+20% in Frederick, MD

3 Bedroom

$1,863

$1,627

+13% in Frederick, MD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$365,200

$322,800

+12% in Frederick, MD

Income

Median Household Income

$95,150

$66,772

+30% in Frederick, MD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$71,060

$53,680

+24% in Frederick, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

37.1 yr

32.9 yr

+4.2 yr in Frederick, MD

Homeownership

59.2%

41.2%

+18.0 pp in Frederick, MD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

41.8%

34.7%

+7.1 pp in Frederick, MD

Avg Commute

30.1 min

25.0 min

+5.1 min in Frederick, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

406

282.4

+30% in Frederick, MD

Property Crime

1,696.3

1,665.6

+2% in Frederick, MD

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

51.6°F

+0.5°F in Frederick, MD

Annual Precipitation

—

47.2 in

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.8

29.5

+35% in Providence, RI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.94

$16.06

+15% in Frederick, MD

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Providence, RI

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.92

+10% in Providence, RI

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Frederick, MD

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.90

+7% in Providence, RI

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.19

+15% in Providence, RI

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Providence, RI

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MD / RI)

+1.0 pp in RI

Income Tax (top rate)

6.50%

5.99%

+0.5 pp in MD

Frederick vs Providence — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Frederick or Providence?: Providence, RI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,310 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 20% below Frederick, MD's $1,640, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Frederick than in Providence?: 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 Providence.
Which has lower taxes, Frederick or Providence?: Frederick is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Providence under Rhode Island's (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% 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).