| Index | Ferndale | Maryland | National |
| Cost of living | 119 | 121 | 100 |
| Groceries | 107 | 105 | 100 |
| Health care | 111 | 109 | 100 |
| Housing | 142 | 151 | 100 |
| Transportation | 110 | 109 | 100 |
| Utilities | 111 | 108 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 111 | 109 | 100 |
| Household Items | 105 | 105 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 111 | 112 | 100 |

Knowing the cost of living in Ferndale allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Ferndale stands at 119, marking it 19% higher than the national average.
Housing costs are a very significant part of the Ferndale cost of living index and generally encompass a large percentage of take-home income. Unfortunately, in this area, the housing costs for both homes and rentals were 42.5% more than the average city. This includes things like home and rent prices, mortgage rates and insurance.
Is Ferndale affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Ferndale, the median home price is 37.5% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 54.1% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Ferndale boasting a median household income of $108,647, 33.6% higher than the national average.
Transportation: When public transportation options are limited or non-existent, residents frequently resort to vehicle ownership, which can significantly contribute to the overall cost of living. Monthly financial obligations encompass fuel, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or financing expenses. In Ferndale, the transportation index is 9.7% higher than the national average.
Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can fluctuate greatly based on the city or state. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor\’s visits, dentist costs, medication costs and specialized care costs can all impact the cost of living. In Ferndale, the healthcare costs are 11.1% higher than the national average.
Taxes: Regions that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an increased cost of living. Higher taxes for everyday necessities such as clothing, utilities and food inevitably leads to higher expenditures. Additionally, a higher income tax rate can also play a role in elevating the overall cost of living. In Ferndale, the prevailing sales tax rate starts at 6%, and income tax rates kick off at 2%.
The cost of living data for Ferndale shown above is based on a U.S. average baseline score of 100, making it easier to compare how far your dollar may go from one city to another. Housing uses U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all remaining values are AI-assisted estimates informed by regional pricing, climate, transportation dynamics, and local economic factors. These scores are best used for directional comparisons between cities.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $116,745 | $9,729 | $2,724 | $3,503 |
| Renters | $106,237 | $8,853 | $2,479 | $3,187 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Maryland | 6% | 6% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Maryland | 2% | 5.75% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Dundalk, MD | 65,241 | 106 | 5.9% |
| Lansdowne, MD | 8,964 | 104 | 4.0% |
| Baltimore, MD | 621,744 | 108 | 7.9% |
| Essex, MD | 40,724 | 108 | 7.7% |
| Woodlawn CDP (Prince George's County), MD | 8,071 | 110 | 9.6% |
| Ferndale, MD | 18,230 | 119 | 19.2% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Knik-Fairview, AK | 18,228 | 124 | 24.3% |
| Selma, AL | 18,220 | 84 | 16.5% |
| Oak Grove, OR | 18,220 | 128 | 27.8% |
| North Babylon, NY | 18,242 | 138 | 38.4% |
| Maitland, FL | 18,243 | 134 | 33.7% |
| Ferndale, MD | 18,230 | 119 | 19.2% |