Ferndale, WA vs Puyallup, WA

Ferndale is moderately more affordable than Puyallup, with a 9.7% lower cost of living index. Ferndale scores 121 compared to 134 for Puyallup, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Puyallup can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Ferndale is $1,461/month compared to $1,750/month in Puyallup — a 17% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Ferndale is more affordable at $492,400 median vs $507,000.

Median household income in Ferndale is $83,839 compared to $95,639 in Puyallup (-12.3%). While Puyallup 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 20.9% of their income on rent, less than the 22% in Puyallup.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.2°F vs 51.9°F). Puyallup receives more rainfall at 42" per year compared to 34.7" in Ferndale.