How much does it cost to rent in Ferndale, MI?

As of August 2026, the median monthly rent in Ferndale, MI is $1,679. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Ferndale cheaper than other Michigan cities?

Ferndale is one of the pricier cities in Michigan, ranking #31 out of 96 cities tracked at $1,679/mo.

When was Ferndale rent data last updated?

Ferndale rent data reflects August 2026 and was last refreshed on August 17, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

What is the Fair Market Rent in Ferndale, MI?

HUD sets the Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom home in Ferndale, MI at $1,480 per month, which is 12% below the $1,679 market median. Fair Market Rent is the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) payment standard. It is a 40th-percentile gross rent that includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash, and HUD updates it once a year, so it measures something different from current market asking rent.

City Report · MI

Ferndale

Name: Average Rent Prices in Ferndale, MI
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Pop. 19,190·31st most expensive in Michigan·Rental market data updated monthly for Ferndale, MI

Median rent (all units)

$1,679/mo

Year-over-Year

+1.3%

Month-over-Month

-3.9%

vs US Median

-$283

Falling (Monthly)

Be the first to discuss Ferndale rents ↓

Most AffordableMost Expensive

Ferndale · $1,679

More affordable than 63% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo

Rent Reality Score

70/100

Good value

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 10% below what Ferndale's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$1,679/mo

Expected by trend

$1,861/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Ferndale's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,060

1 BR

$1,170

2 BR

$1,480

3 BR

$1,810

4 BR+

$1,960

Fair Market Rent (HUD)

$1,480/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,679 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost

$20,148/yr

At $1,679/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Strong Renter's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are down 1.3% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+1.3% YoY, -3.9% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Ferndale, MI is majority owner-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income above the national average, 57.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

19,190

Median income

$94,640

Median age

37.3

Renters

33.4%

Age distribution

34.6%

34.5%

Under 189.7%

18–3434.6%

35–5434.5%

55–649.4%

65+11.9%

Gender

49.1%

50.9%

Male49.1%

Female50.9%

Race & ethnicity

81.1%

White81.1%

Black6.4%

Hispanic4.7%

Asian3%

Other4.7%

Education (25+)

14.6%

23.8%

57.9%

No HS diploma3.7%

HS diploma14.6%

Some college23.8%

Bachelor's+57.9%

Housing tenure

66.6%

33.4%

Owner66.6%

Renter33.4%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Ferndale, MI has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,332 → $1,679

up 26.1%

Income

$79,181 → $94,640

up 19.5%

Population

19,414 → 19,190

down 1.2%

Renter share

34.6% → 33.4%

-1.2 pts

Bachelor's+

53.1% → 57.9%

+4.8 pts

Median age

35.1 → 37.3

+2.2 yrs

The median rent in Ferndale, MI stood at $1,332 in 2021 and currently runs about $1,679, reflecting a 26.1% increase over the period. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $79,181 in 2021 to $94,640 more recently. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has contracted by 1.2% since 2021, moving from about 19,414 residents to roughly 19,190. College-educated residents now make up 57.9% of adults here, versus 53.1% in 2021. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the Ferndale, MI market of 2021.

Community

Discussions about Ferndale

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View Ferndale rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Ferndale on your salary?

At $1,679/mo, how Ferndale rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $90,701/yr · Rent = 22.2% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $64,397/yr · Rent = 31.3% income

stretched

Police Officer

Avg $74,179/yr · Rent = 27.2% income

affordable

Software Developer

Avg $132,586/yr · Rent = 15.2% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $169,411/yr · Rent = 11.9% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $60,298/yr · Rent = 33.4% income

stretched

Truck Driver

Avg $54,442/yr · Rent = 37% income

stretched

Electrician

Avg $67,104/yr · Rent = 30% income

stretched

By apartment size

Ferndale rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Ferndale. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Ferndale

About renting in Ferndale, MI

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Ferndale is $1,679/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,060/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,480/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,170/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,810/mo.

At 21% of local median household income ($94,640/yr), Ferndale ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 1.3% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Ferndale an affordable city for renters?

Ferndale is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,679/mo, rent takes approximately 21% of the local median household income ($94,640/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Ferndale falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Ferndale?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $67,000/year (~$32/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,679/mo in Ferndale. The local median household income is $94,640/yr, meaning the typical Ferndale household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Ferndale?

Rent in Ferndale has increased 1.3% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Ferndale rent compare to other cities in Michigan?

Ferndale is one of the pricier cities in Michigan for rent, ranking #31 out of 96 tracked cities at $1,679/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Ferndale?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Ferndale ($1,679/mo): Oak Park ($1,474/mo), Madison Heights ($1,495/mo), Hazel Park ($1,510/mo).

What percentage of Ferndale residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 33.4% of Ferndale households are renters, while 66.6% are owner-occupied. Ferndale leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Ferndale rent compare to the national average?

Ferndale's median rent of $1,679/mo is $283 (14%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Michigan, it ranks #31 out of 96 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

21%

VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,679/mo, rent takes ~21% of Ferndale's median household income ($94,640/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Ferndale 21%Benchmark 30%

State income tax4.25%

Run the Ferndale affordability calculator →

Nearby cities