Ferndale, MI vs Kentwood, MI

Ferndale, MI and Kentwood, MI have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.9% difference in their overall index. Ferndale scores 91 while Kentwood scores 90 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 $1,235/month compared to $1,205/month in Kentwood — a 3% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Kentwood has cheaper rent, Ferndale actually has lower median home values ($233,600 vs $249,000).

Median household income in Ferndale is $91,732 compared to $73,647 in Kentwood (+24.6%). While Ferndale is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Ferndale spend roughly 16.2% of their income on rent, less than the 19.6% in Kentwood.