Cost of Living in Ferndale, MD

Population 17,076 · Maryland · Data vintage 2023

116
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Under 25,000 residents gives Ferndale a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $325,000.

Located 8 miles south of Baltimore, Ferndale falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 48% higher than Baltimore's $219,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 107
Rent 130

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Ferndale

The median home value in Ferndale is $325,400 — 7% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,708/month, 30% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $92,391/year is 24% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.5%, above the national average of 4.8%. Maryland's top state income tax rate is 5.8% and the combined sales tax is 6.0%. The climate averages highs of 66.6°F and lows of 45.9°F, with about 19.3" of annual snowfall. Overall, Ferndale has a cost of living index of 116 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 16% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$325,400
7% above avg
Median Rent
$1,708/mo
30% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.9x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
1.1%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$1,407
1 BR
$1,604
2 BR
$1,898
3 BR
$2,407
4 BR
$2,822
Owner-occupied 64.2%
Renter-occupied 35.8%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,708
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,322/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
27.6 min
2% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
10.2%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
68.7%
Carpooled
18.0%
Public transit
1.7%
Walked
0.2%
Bicycle
0.1%
Work from home
10.2%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 5.8%
Total Sales Tax 6.0%
State rate 6.0%
Avg local rate 0.0%
Property Tax 1.1%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$92,391
24% above avg
Per Capita Income
$38,750
Unemployment Rate
5.5%
14% above avg
Poverty Rate
4.6%
Labor Force Participation
73.0%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 14.2%
Graduate degree 11.2%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 35.1
Male median age 35.1
Female median age 35.3

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
66.6°F
Avg Low
45.9°F
Annual Precip
45"
Annual Snowfall
19.3"
20° 38° 55° 73° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 434655677684898780685748
Low °F 252734445363686659473730
Precip" 3.082.904.013.393.853.984.484.094.443.943.133.71
Snow" 6.47.52.80.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.12.5

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 40 — Good
85.6%
Good air days/yr
150
Max AQI recorded
0
PM2.5 days
244
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Ferndale, MD?

Ferndale has a cost index of 116 (100 = national average). It is 16% above the national average.

What is average rent in Ferndale, MD?

The median gross rent in Ferndale is $1,708 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Ferndale?

The median home value in Ferndale is $325,400 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Ferndale?

The median household income in Ferndale is $92,391 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Ferndale, MD?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Ferndale is 6.0%. The Maryland state income tax top rate is 5.8%.

Is Ferndale, MD affordable?

Ferndale is above average in cost of living, with an index of 116 — about 16% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Ferndale?

Ferndale has average high temperatures of 66.6°F and average lows of 45.9°F. Annual precipitation is 45". Average annual snowfall is 19.3". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Ferndale at a Glance

Population
17,076
Median Income
$92,391
Home Value
$325,400
Median Rent
$1,708/mo
Unemployment
5.5%
Avg High Temp
66.6°F
Sales Tax
6.0%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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