Fairview-Ferndale is a small town of 1,837 in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $37,163
and a 5.7% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 90 (US average = 100), which is
10% below the national average.
Strengths:
Fairview-Ferndale stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Fairview-Ferndale is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Fairview-Ferndale city data on this page comes from official government sources —
the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.
Cost of Living
Index: 89.6
Fairview-Ferndale's overall cost of living index is 89.6,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Fairview-Ferndale costs roughly 10% less than the average American city.
Metric
Fairview-Ferndale, PA
National Avg
Median Home Value
$66,100
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$833
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
87.9%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$37,163
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Fairview-Ferndale's violent crime rate is 81.5 per 100,000 residents
— 79% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
81.5 /100k
Property Crime
412.8 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Fairview-Ferndale is served primarily by Shamokin Area SD.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 14.6:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Fairview-Ferndale, PA
National Avg
School District
Shamokin Area SD
—
Elementary Schools
1
—
Middle Schools
2
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
14.6:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
13.6%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
88.6%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Fairview-Ferndale sees average highs of 34.8°F in January
and 83.7°F in July,
with 48.0 inches of annual precipitation
and 33.5 inches of snow per year.
Fairview-Ferndale's cost of living index is 90, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Fairview-Ferndale roughly 10% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $66,100 and median rent is $833/month.
Fairview-Ferndale's violent crime rate is 81.5 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 412.8 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Fairview-Ferndale are operated by Shamokin Area SD.
The district has 1 elementary, 2 middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 14.6:1. 13.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Fairview-Ferndale, PA has a population of 1,837, a median household income of $37,163, and an unemployment rate of 5.7%.
It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
Fairview-Ferndale averages 34.8°F in January and 83.7°F in July. Annual rainfall is 48.0 inches
with about 33.5 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Fairview-Ferndale, PA is covered by 1 ZIP code: 17866.
The population of Fairview-Ferndale, Pennsylvania is 1,837 with a median age of 54.5. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Fairview-Ferndale: cost of living index 90 (100 = US average), median home $66,100, median household income $37,163, crime index 21 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated C+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Fairview-Ferndale side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
