Is it cheaper to live in Frederick or Tacoma?

Tacoma, WA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,500 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 9% below Frederick, MD's $1,640, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $57,000 a year in Frederick versus $53,000 in Tacoma.

Which has lower taxes, Frederick or Tacoma?

Frederick is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Tacoma under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Frederick vs Tacoma Cost of Living 2026

Frederick

Maryland

$1,640/mo est.

Tacoma

Washington

$1,500/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 $1,500 in Tacoma, WA. Overall, Tacoma, WA is roughly 9% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Frederick, MD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $95,150 in Frederick, MD and $83,857 in Tacoma, WA — about 12% higher in Frederick, MD. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Frederick, MD

Tacoma, WA

Rent

Studio

$1,658

$1,178

+29% in Frederick, MD

1 Bedroom

$1,418

$1,332

+6% in Frederick, MD

2 Bedroom

$1,661

$1,693

+2% in Tacoma, WA

3 Bedroom

$1,863

$2,094

+12% in Tacoma, WA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$365,200

$454,600

+24% in Tacoma, WA

Income

Median Household Income

$95,150

$83,857

+12% in Frederick, MD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$71,060

$72,610

+2% in Tacoma, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

37.1 yr

37.3 yr

+0.2 yr in Tacoma, WA

Homeownership

59.2%

56.5%

+2.7 pp in Frederick, MD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

41.8%

33.5%

+8.3 pp in Frederick, MD

Avg Commute

30.1 min

29.0 min

+1.1 min in Frederick, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

406

1,064.4

+162% in Tacoma, WA

Property Crime

1,696.3

5,695.2

+236% in Tacoma, WA

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

about equal

Annual Precipitation

—

43.0 in

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$5.12/gal

+33% in Tacoma, WA

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Washington.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.8

14.9

+31% in Frederick, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.94

$20.41

+8% in Tacoma, WA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Tacoma, WA

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Tacoma, WA

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Frederick, MD

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Tacoma, WA

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Tacoma, WA

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Tacoma, WA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MD / WA)

6.5%

+0.5 pp in WA

Income Tax (top rate)

6.50%

None

+6.5 pp in MD

Frederick vs Tacoma — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Frederick or Tacoma?: Tacoma, WA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,500 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 9% below Frederick, MD's $1,640, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Frederick than in Tacoma?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $57,000 a year in Frederick versus $53,000 in Tacoma.
Which has lower taxes, Frederick or Tacoma?: Frederick is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Tacoma under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% 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).