Ferndale, MI vs St. Louis, MI

The cost of living difference between Ferndale, MI and St. Louis, MI is dramatic. St. Louis is 34.9% cheaper than Ferndale, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Ferndale has a cost index of 91 while St. Louis sits at 67, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Ferndale is $1,235/month compared to $865/month in St. Louis — a 43% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: St. Louis is more affordable at $115,700 median vs $233,600.

Median household income in Ferndale is $91,732 compared to $46,096 in St. Louis (+99%). 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 22.5% in St. Louis.