Maryland · Census, HUD and BEA figures · Updated

Cost of Living in Frederick County, MD

Prices around Frederick County, MD run 8.9% above the U.S. average (BEA, the metro area). The typical household there earns $122,002 a year, and HUD puts a two-bedroom at $2,246 a month. Keeping that rent under 30% of income takes about $89,840 a year.

Frederick County, MD at a glance

Median household income

$122,002$10,167 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-bedroom rent$2,246HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price level (U.S. = 100)108.9+8.9% · BEA, the metro area
Electricity21.8¢per kWh · EIA Residential MD
Population287,048Census ACS 5-year estimate

How much rent can you afford in Frederick County, MD?

HUD’s fair market rent for each size, against what a typical household here earns. Change the income to see yours.

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$2,246Monthly market rent
Share of gross income22.1%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$89,840To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$3,050At 30% of $122,002
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

How much is rent in Frederick County, MD? By bedroom, 2026

HUD's fiscal 2026 Fair Market Rents for Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD HUD Metro FMR Area, with the income each one takes if rent stays under 30% of it.

HUD Fair Market Rent in Frederick County, MD, fiscal 2026
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$1,953$23,436$78,12019.2%
1-Bedroom Apartment$2,015$24,180$80,60019.8%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$2,246$26,952$89,84022.1%
3-Bedroom Home$2,835$34,020$113,40027.9%
4-Bedroom Home$3,332$39,984$133,28032.8%

Rent in Frederick County, MD, with the wage each unit needs →

What a typical income covers in Frederick County, MD

The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $122,002 a year ($10,167 a month before tax).

Needs (50%)$5,083/moRent ($2,246 2-BR), utilities (~$197/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$3,050/moEating out, travel, subscriptions and the rest
Savings and debt (20%)$2,033/moEmergency fund, retirement, paying down loans

What $122,002 leaves after Maryland taxes

Federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and Maryland tax on the local median income. Change the salary to see yours.

$122,002
$45,000$245,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$122,002
Net 73%
Fed 15%
MD 5%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$89,104After all taxes
Monthly deposit$7,425Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$3,427Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate27%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$18,014 / yr
Maryland state income tax$5,550 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$9,333 / yr

Living in Frederick County, MD: common questions

What is the median household income in Frederick County, MD?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Frederick County, MD is $122,002 per year (approximately $10,167 per month).

What is the average rent in Frederick County, MD?

The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $1,953 for a studio, $2,015 for one bedroom, $2,246 for two, $2,835 for three and $3,332 for four, utilities included.

It is not an average of listings. HUD sets it at the rent 40% of recent movers paid or less for a standard unit, so a new lease on a nicer place will usually cost more.

Is Frederick County, MD expensive to live in?

Prices there run 8.9% above the U.S. average. BEA's regional price parity for the metro area is 108.9, where the U.S. is 100. Rent moves the number most: housing is where places differ, while goods cost about the same everywhere.

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Frederick County, MD?

To keep a $2,246 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $89,840 a year, or $7,487 a month. That is 74% of what the typical household in Frederick County, MD earns.

How much do you need to live comfortably in Frederick County, MD?

On the local median income of $122,002 ($10,167 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $5,083 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $3,050 for everything else and $2,033 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $2,246 takes 44% of the needs share.

How much is the electric bill in Frederick County, MD?

Homes in Maryland paid 21.8¢ per kWh on average (EIA). At 900 kWh a month, a typical use, that is about $197. Your bill depends mostly on heating and cooling.