Is it cheaper to live in Frederick or San Antonio?

San Antonio, TX is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,290 (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 San Antonio?

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 San Antonio.

Which has lower taxes, Frederick or San Antonio?

Frederick is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); San Antonio under Texas's (no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax).

Frederick vs San Antonio Cost of Living 2026

Frederick

Maryland

$1,640/mo est.

San Antonio

Texas

$1,290/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 $1,290 in San Antonio, TX. Overall, San Antonio, TX 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 $62,917 in San Antonio, TX — about 34% higher in Frederick, MD. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Texas has no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax.

Frederick, MD

San Antonio, TX

Rent

Studio

$1,658

$1,052

+37% in Frederick, MD

1 Bedroom

$1,418

$1,084

+24% in Frederick, MD

2 Bedroom

$1,661

$1,327

+20% in Frederick, MD

3 Bedroom

$1,863

$1,545

+17% in Frederick, MD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$365,200

$219,700

+40% in Frederick, MD

Income

Median Household Income

$95,150

$62,917

+34% in Frederick, MD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$71,060

$47,010

+34% in Frederick, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

37.1 yr

34.6 yr

+2.5 yr in Frederick, MD

Homeownership

59.2%

52.4%

+6.8 pp in Frederick, MD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

41.8%

28.7%

+13.1 pp in Frederick, MD

Avg Commute

30.1 min

24.6 min

+5.5 min in Frederick, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

406

605.7

+49% in San Antonio, TX

Property Crime

1,696.3

4,665.7

+175% in San Antonio, TX

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

68.5°F

+16.4°F in San Antonio, TX

Annual Precipitation

—

34.9 in

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$3.62/gal

+6% in Frederick, MD

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Texas.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$1.30

Adult base one-way fare — — vs VIA Metropolitan Transit (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.8

16.4

+24% in Frederick, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.94

$30.48

+61% in San Antonio, TX

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.75

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MD / TX)

6.25%

+0.3 pp in TX

Income Tax (top rate)

6.50%

None

+6.5 pp in MD

Frederick vs San Antonio — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Frederick or San Antonio?: San Antonio, TX is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,290 (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 San Antonio?: 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 San Antonio.
Which has lower taxes, Frederick or San Antonio?: Frederick is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); San Antonio under Texas's (no state income tax and a 6.25% 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).