Rows tagged local are specific to Ferndale (Census ACS); state rows are state averages; metro-area rows are inherited from Detroit, MI. Home value is ACS owner-reported (not a Zillow sale price).
School score: 3/10 (district Ferndale Public Schools · NCES EDFacts)
Cost of living
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)
98.2
metro-area
#127 of 200 metros
Grocery index (US=100)
97.9
metro-area
#135 of 200 metros
Big Mac price (est.)
$5.59
metro-area
#126 of 200 metros
Median household income
$86,120
local
#1539 of 3,220 cities
Median wage (all occupations)
$52,405
local
#1022 of 3,220 cities
Who lives here
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median age
40.2 years
metro-area
#147 of 200 metros
Bachelor's degree or higher (25+)
34.1%
metro-area
#94 of 200 metros
Foreign-born residents
10.3%
metro-area
#71 of 200 metros
Homes that are owner-occupied
70.9%
metro-area
#32 of 200 metros
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
3.68%
local
#852 of 3,220 cities
Population growth (5-yr)
-4.4%
local
#2971 of 3,220 cities
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$218,000
local
#735 of 3,220 cities
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
2.5×
local
#244 of 3,220 cities
1-yr home appreciation
+2.8%
metro-area
#59 of 200 metros
Price per square foot
$132
local
#959 of 3,220 cities
Typical home size (implied)
1,650 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$1,238
local
#1081 of 3,220 cities
Homes for sale (inventory)
13,350
Median days on market
10
metro-area
#52 of 200 metros
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
10.0%
state
#97 of 200 metros
Combined sales tax
6.00%
state
#16 of 200 metros
State income tax (top rate)
4.25%
Capital gains tax
4.25%
state
#78 of 200 metros
High earners
No special surtax
Social Security in retirement
Not taxed — does not tax Social Security benefits
Effective property tax rate
1.66%
local
#2478 of 3,220 cities
Median property tax paid
$3,625
local
#1574 of 3,220 cities
Health & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Life expectancy at birth
75.9 years
metro-area
#125 of 200 metros
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$6,500
state
#53 of 200 metros
Uninsured (share of residents)
5.3%
metro-area
#25 of 200 metros
Primary care providers per 100k
84
metro-area
#60 of 200 metros
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$11,000
state
#99 of 200 metros
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$200
state
#135 of 200 metros
Vehicle property tax (annual)
0.61% of value (~$171/yr)
state
#109 of 200 metros
Emissions testing
Not required
Emissions detail
No vehicle emissions testing
DMV & license offices
16
Avg commute to work
26 min
local
#1385 of 3,220 cities
Commute by driving alone
74.7%
metro-area
#92 of 200 metros
Solo drivers commuting 30+ min
39.3%
metro-area
#161 of 200 metros
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
21.4¢/kWh
state
#141 of 200 metros
Avg monthly electric bill
$193
state
#141 of 200 metros
Gasoline
$3.35/gal
state
#111 of 200 metros
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$78
state
#139 of 200 metros
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$74
state
#28 of 200 metros
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$78
state
#77 of 200 metros
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$1,300
state
#22 of 200 metros
Auto insurance (annual)
$2,700
state
#175 of 200 metros
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Lower natural-disaster risk; standard home coverage usually sufficient.
FEMA National Risk Index (0–100, higher = more risk)
95.7 — Relatively High
metro-area
#153 of 200 metros
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$600
state
#16 of 200 metros
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$100
state
#1 of 200 metros
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
55
metro-area
#175 of 200 metros
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
600
metro-area
#14 of 200 metros
Homes with air conditioning (state)
87%
state
#151 of 200 metros
Heating degree-days (heat load)
6,600
metro-area
#181 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 90°F
8
metro-area
#38 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 100°F
0
metro-area
#5 of 200 metros
Avg summer high (state)
83°F
metro-area
#21 of 200 metros
Avg winter low
16°F
metro-area
#168 of 200 metros
Annual precipitation
34.3"
metro-area
#55 of 200 metros
Annual snowfall
45.0"
metro-area
#157 of 200 metros
Sunshine (% of possible)
53%
metro-area
#168 of 200 metros
Plant hardiness zone
6a
Frost window
04-30 → 10-15
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
460
state
#143 of 200 metros
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
1,600
state
#37 of 200 metros
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
43
metro-area
#120 of 200 metros
Parks
40
Hiking areas
10
Golf courses
7
Shooting ranges
5
Lakes
5
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
3
state
#87 of 200 metros
Permit detail
Moderate
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.