Skyline of Frederick
Cost of Living: 110 75,000

Frederick, MD, US

Historic city in western Maryland with a charming downtown and proximity to DC.

Updated September 12, 2026

Overview

Frederick is a city in MD with a population of 75,000. Historic city in western Maryland with a charming downtown and proximity to DC. Housing costs are close to the national average. Gardening thrives here — the 5b growing zone supports Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees. A large share of residents hold a bachelor’s degree or higher.

Last updated: September 12, 2026

Cost of Living 110

Above Average vs US Avg (100)

Housing Index 120

Above Average

Median Income $72,000

Household income

Unemployment 3.2%

Job market health

Frederick vs US Average

Cost of Living
Frederick: 110
US Avg: 100
Housing Index
Frederick: 120
US Avg: 100
State Income Tax
Frederick: 5.75%
US Avg: ~5%

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 5.8%
  • Sales Tax: 6.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: $72,000
  • Unemployment: 3.2%
  • Population: 75,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 200/year
  • Summer High: 86°F
  • Winter Low: 26°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 5b

Housing

  • Median Home: $400,000
  • 1BR Rent: $1500/mo

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Cost of Living

Frederick's cost of living index is 110 (US average = 100).

CategoryFrederickNational AverageDifference
Overall110100+10.0%
Housing120100+20.0%

Data source: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price$400,000
Median Rent (1BR)$1500/mo
Median Rent (2BR)$1,875/mo
Price per Sq Ft$266

Data source: Zillow Research, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

$
%
$90,000 down
%
%
$

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Frederick:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity$135Based on ~900 kWh/month typical US household usage
Heating & Cooling$89Estimated based on local climate. Gas or electric
Cooling (AC)$1Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water$65Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)$75Broadband average
Garbage / TrashIncluded in taxesMunicipal service (covered by property taxes)
Total Utilities$365Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Remote Work Score

Frederick scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
— 110
Rent
— $1500
Sunny Days
— 200
Tax
— 5.75%
Unemployment
— 3.2%
Climate
— 86°F / 26°F
Safety
— 5.8 homicides/100k
Population
— 75,000
Internet Speed
— 200 Mbps

Climate

Frederick has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January46°F26°F2.5"
April71°F41°F2.8"
July86°F61°F1.5"
October66°F44°F2.2"
USDA Zone 5b

Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Frederick faces the following natural hazards:

Flood Moderate Risk

River flooding.

Blizzard Moderate Risk

Winter storms.

Tornado Moderate Risk

Tornado risk.

Hurricane Moderate Risk

Coastal areas affected by hurricanes.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 5.75%
  • Sales Tax: 6%
  • Property Tax: ~1.09% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 3.2%.

Schools & Education

78/100
School Quality Score
Better than 63% of US cities
?
32
Total Schools
7.5:1
Student:Teacher
82.8%
Free/Reduced Lunch

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

Demographics

The population of Frederick is diverse. The figures below show the ethnic, educational, and religious composition of the local population.

Ethnicity

Asian
5.5%
Black or African American
16.7%
Hispanic or Latino
20.5%
Native American
0.2%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
0.0%
Other
0.5%
Two or more races
5.2%
White
51.5%

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
41.8%
High school graduate
21.8%
Less than high school
10.8%
Some college
25.6%

Religion

Christian
65.0%
Jewish
3.0%
Other
5.0%
Unaffiliated
27.0%

Data source: US Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) (2023)

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Frederick, MD, US?

The cost of living index in Frederick is 110, which is Higher the US national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Frederick?

The median home price in Frederick is $400,000. The housing index is 120.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Frederick is approximately $1500/mo.

Does Frederick, MD have income tax?

Frederick is in MD, which has an income tax rate of 5.75%.

What is the climate like in Frederick?

Frederick enjoys approximately 200 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 86°F, while winter lows can drop to around 26°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026
  • Housing Data: Zillow Research, 2026
  • Income & Employment: US Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2024
  • Utilities U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Data last updated: September 13, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.