Is it cheaper to live in Frederick or Provo?

Provo, UT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 32% below Frederick, MD's $1,650, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $57,000 a year in Frederick versus $39,000 in Provo.

Which has lower taxes, Frederick or Provo?

Frederick is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Provo under Utah's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax).

Frederick vs Provo Cost of Living 2026

Frederick

Maryland

$1,650/mo est.

Provo

Utah

$1,120/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,650 in Frederick, MD versus $1,120 in Provo, UT. Overall, Provo, UT is roughly 32% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Frederick, MD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $95,150 in Frederick, MD and $62,800 in Provo, UT — about 34% higher in Frederick, MD. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Utah has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax.

Frederick, MD

Provo, UT

Rent

Studio

$1,658

$1,009

+39% in Frederick, MD

1 Bedroom

$1,418

$978

+31% in Frederick, MD

2 Bedroom

$1,661

$1,128

+32% in Frederick, MD

3 Bedroom

$1,863

$1,381

+26% in Frederick, MD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$365,200

$437,100

+20% in Provo, UT

Income

Median Household Income

$95,150

$62,800

+34% in Frederick, MD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$71,060

$48,010

+32% in Frederick, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

37.1 yr

23.7 yr

+13.4 yr in Frederick, MD

Homeownership

59.2%

39.9%

+19.3 pp in Frederick, MD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

41.8%

45.0%

+3.2 pp in Provo, UT

Avg Commute

30.1 min

18.5 min

+11.6 min in Frederick, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

406

205.7

+49% in Frederick, MD

Property Crime

1,696.3

1,280.6

+25% 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

53.4°F

+1.3°F in Provo, UT

Annual Precipitation

—

19.8 in

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$4.27/gal

+8% in Provo, UT

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Rocky Mountain (PADD 4).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.8

13.4

+39% in Frederick, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.57

$11.84

+48% in Frederick, MD

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Provo, UT

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Provo, UT

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Frederick, MD

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Provo, UT

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Provo, UT

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Provo, UT

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MD / UT)

6.1%

+0.1 pp in UT

Income Tax (top rate)

6.50%

4.50%

+2.0 pp in MD

Frederick vs Provo — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Frederick or Provo?: Provo, UT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 32% below Frederick, MD's $1,650, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Frederick than in Provo?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $57,000 a year in Frederick versus $39,000 in Provo.
Which has lower taxes, Frederick or Provo?: Frederick is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Provo under Utah's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% 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).