Is it cheaper to live in Frederick or Sioux Falls?

Sioux Falls, SD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 37% below Frederick, MD's $1,640, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $57,000 a year in Frederick versus $35,000 in Sioux Falls.

Which has lower taxes, Frederick or Sioux Falls?

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

Frederick vs Sioux Falls Cost of Living 2026

Frederick

Maryland

$1,640/mo est.

Sioux Falls

South Dakota

$1,030/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 $1,030 in Sioux Falls, SD. Overall, Sioux Falls, SD is roughly 37% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Frederick, MD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $95,150 in Frederick, MD and $74,714 in Sioux Falls, SD — about 21% 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

Sioux Falls, SD

Rent

Studio

$1,658

$825

+50% in Frederick, MD

1 Bedroom

$1,418

$870

+39% in Frederick, MD

2 Bedroom

$1,661

$1,000

+40% in Frederick, MD

3 Bedroom

$1,863

$1,237

+34% in Frederick, MD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$365,200

$271,400

+26% in Frederick, MD

Income

Median Household Income

$95,150

$74,714

+21% in Frederick, MD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$71,060

$47,970

+32% in Frederick, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

37.1 yr

35.1 yr

+2.0 yr in Frederick, MD

Homeownership

59.2%

60.0%

+0.8 pp in Sioux Falls, SD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

41.8%

37.4%

+4.4 pp in Frederick, MD

Avg Commute

30.1 min

17.0 min

+13.1 min in Frederick, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

406

526.7

+30% in Sioux Falls, SD

Property Crime

1,696.3

2,927.1

+73% in Sioux Falls, 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

45.8°F

+6.3°F in Frederick, MD

Annual Precipitation

—

26.4 in

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Sioux Falls, SD

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.8

15.7

+28% in Frederick, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.94

$10.95

+42% in Frederick, MD

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Sioux Falls, SD

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.66

+5% in Frederick, MD

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$3.63

+64% in Sioux Falls, SD

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.77

+5% in Sioux Falls, SD

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.10

+10% in Sioux Falls, 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 Sioux Falls — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Frederick or Sioux Falls?: Sioux Falls, SD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 37% below Frederick, MD's $1,640, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Frederick than in Sioux Falls?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $57,000 a year in Frederick versus $35,000 in Sioux Falls.
Which has lower taxes, Frederick or Sioux Falls?: Frederick is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Sioux Falls 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).