Is it cheaper to live in Frederick or Warwick?

Warwick, RI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,390 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 16% below Frederick, MD's $1,650, mainly because of rent.

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

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 Warwick.

Which has lower taxes, Frederick or Warwick?

Frederick is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Warwick under Rhode Island's (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax).

Frederick vs Warwick Cost of Living 2026

Frederick

Maryland

$1,650/mo est.

Warwick

Rhode Island

$1,390/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 $1,390 in Warwick, RI. Overall, Warwick, RI is roughly 16% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Frederick, MD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $95,150 in Frederick, MD and $87,536 in Warwick, RI — about 8% higher in Frederick, MD. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Rhode Island has a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax.

Frederick, MD

Warwick, RI

Rent

Studio

$1,658

$923

+44% in Frederick, MD

1 Bedroom

$1,418

$1,085

+23% in Frederick, MD

2 Bedroom

$1,661

$1,629

+2% in Frederick, MD

3 Bedroom

$1,863

$1,569

+16% in Frederick, MD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$365,200

$322,000

+12% in Frederick, MD

Income

Median Household Income

$95,150

$87,536

+8% in Frederick, MD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$71,060

$53,680

+24% in Frederick, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

37.1 yr

44.6 yr

+7.5 yr in Warwick, RI

Homeownership

59.2%

73.4%

+14.2 pp in Warwick, RI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

41.8%

33.2%

+8.6 pp in Frederick, MD

Avg Commute

30.1 min

25.0 min

+5.1 min in Frederick, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

406

79.5

+80% in Frederick, MD

Property Crime

1,696.3

1,149.5

+32% 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

51.6°F

+0.5°F in Frederick, MD

Annual Precipitation

—

47.2 in

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.8

29.2

+34% in Warwick, RI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.57

$25.75

+14% in Warwick, RI

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Warwick, RI

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.92

+10% in Warwick, RI

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Frederick, MD

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.90

+7% in Warwick, RI

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.19

+15% in Warwick, RI

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Warwick, RI

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MD / RI)

+1.0 pp in RI

Income Tax (top rate)

6.50%

5.99%

+0.5 pp in MD

Frederick vs Warwick — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Frederick or Warwick?: Warwick, RI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,390 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 16% below Frederick, MD's $1,650, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Frederick than in Warwick?: 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 Warwick.
Which has lower taxes, Frederick or Warwick?: Frederick is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Warwick under Rhode Island's (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% 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).