Is it cheaper to live in Frederick or Rapid City?

Rapid City, SD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 41% below Frederick, MD's $1,650, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $57,000 a year in Frederick versus $32,000 in Rapid City.

Which has lower taxes, Frederick or Rapid City?

Frederick is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Rapid City under South Dakota's (no state income tax and a 4.2% state sales tax).

Frederick vs Rapid City Cost of Living 2026

Frederick

Maryland

$1,650/mo est.

Rapid City

South Dakota

$970/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 $970 in Rapid City, SD. Overall, Rapid City, SD is roughly 41% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Frederick, MD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $95,150 in Frederick, MD and $65,712 in Rapid City, SD — about 31% higher in Frederick, MD. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; South Dakota has no state income tax and a 4.2% state sales tax.

Frederick, MD

Rapid City, SD

Rent

Studio

$1,658

$533

+68% in Frederick, MD

1 Bedroom

$1,418

$807

+43% in Frederick, MD

2 Bedroom

$1,661

$1,156

+30% in Frederick, MD

3 Bedroom

$1,863

$1,260

+32% in Frederick, MD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$365,200

$270,000

+26% in Frederick, MD

Income

Median Household Income

$95,150

$65,712

+31% in Frederick, MD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$71,060

$46,270

+35% in Frederick, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

37.1 yr

39.0 yr

+1.9 yr in Rapid City, SD

Homeownership

59.2%

61.6%

+2.4 pp in Rapid City, SD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

41.8%

36.4%

+5.4 pp in Frederick, MD

Avg Commute

30.1 min

17.4 min

+12.7 min in Frederick, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

406

718.9

+77% in Rapid City, SD

Property Crime

1,696.3

3,795.8

+124% in Rapid City, SD

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

47.1°F

+5.0°F in Frederick, MD

Annual Precipitation

—

16.3 in

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.85/gal

+2% in Frederick, MD

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.8

15.4

+30% in Frederick, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.57

$15.26

+32% in Frederick, MD

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Rapid City, SD

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.66

+5% in Frederick, MD

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$3.63

+64% in Rapid City, SD

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.77

+5% in Rapid City, SD

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.10

+10% in Rapid City, SD

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MD / SD)

4.2%

+1.8 pp in MD

Income Tax (top rate)

6.50%

None

+6.5 pp in MD

Frederick vs Rapid City — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Frederick or Rapid City?: Rapid City, SD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 41% below Frederick, MD's $1,650, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Frederick than in Rapid City?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $57,000 a year in Frederick versus $32,000 in Rapid City.
Which has lower taxes, Frederick or Rapid City?: Frederick is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Rapid City under South Dakota's (no state income tax and a 4.2% 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).