Ferndale, MD vs Riverside, MD

Ferndale, MD and Riverside, MD have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.9% difference in their overall index. Ferndale scores 115 while Riverside scores 110 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Ferndale is $1,708/month compared to $1,805/month in Riverside — a 5% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Ferndale has cheaper rent, Riverside actually has lower median home values ($237,300 vs $325,400).

Median household income in Ferndale is $92,391 compared to $102,262 in Riverside (-9.7%). Riverside 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, more than the 21.2% in Riverside.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (56.2°F vs 55.2°F). Riverside receives more rainfall at 47.1" per year compared to 45" in Ferndale.