Ferndale, CA vs Round Valley, CA

Ferndale is moderately more affordable than Round Valley, with a 12.9% lower cost of living index. Ferndale scores 114 compared to 131 for Round Valley, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Round Valley can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Ferndale is $1,150/month compared to $1,398/month in Round Valley — a 18% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Ferndale is more affordable at $496,000 median vs $608,900.

Median household income in Ferndale is $62,090 compared to $49,844 in Round Valley (+24.6%). Ferndale offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Ferndale spend roughly 22.2% of their income on rent, less than the 33.7% in Round Valley. The Ferndale ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, Round Valley is notably warmer with an average of 57.3°F compared to 52.6°F in Ferndale. Ferndale receives more rainfall at 40.4" per year compared to 4.8" in Round Valley.