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City Report · CA

Arcata

Pop. 18,607·365th most expensive in California·Arcata rents are up 8.4% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,729/mo
Year-over-Year
+8.4%
Month-over-Month
+7.1%
vs US Median
-$233
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Arcata · $1,729
More affordable than 59% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
44% of income
STRETCHED
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,729/mo, rent takes about 44% of the local median household income, well above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$69,000/yr
Local median income
$46,713/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Arcata's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,110
1 BR
$1,180
2 BR
$1,540
3 BR
$2,160
4 BR+
$2,590
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,540/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,729 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

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$20,748/yr
At $1,729/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 8.4% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+8.4% YoY, +7.1% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Arcata, CA is majority renter-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income below the national average, 46.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
18,607
Median income
$46,713
Median age
28.1
Renters
63.6%
Age distribution
48.2%
18.1%
14.2%
Under 1811.8%
18–3448.2%
35–5418.1%
55–647.7%
65+14.2%
Gender
48.4%
51.6%
Male48.4%
Female51.6%
Race & ethnicity
72.8%
16%
White72.8%
Black3.5%
Hispanic16%
Asian1.1%
Other6.6%
Education (25+)
15.2%
34.5%
46.3%
No HS diploma4%
HS diploma15.2%
Some college34.5%
Bachelor's+46.3%
Housing tenure
36.4%
63.6%
Owner36.4%
Renter63.6%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Arcata, CA has changed in 5 years

Income
$39,069 → $46,713
up 19.6%
Population
19,038 → 18,607
down 2.3%
Renter share
66.5% → 63.6%
-2.9 pts
Bachelor's+
46.4% → 46.3%
-0.1 pts
Median age
26.9 → 28.1
+1.2 yrs

Median household income rose from $39,069 to $46,713 between 2021 and 2024, a 19.6% shift. The population has contracted by 2.3% since 2021, moving from about 19,038 residents to roughly 18,607. Renters now make up 63.6% of households, compared with 66.5% five years ago.

Community

Discussions about Arcata

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View Arcata rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Arcata on your salary?

At $1,729/mo, how Arcata rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Arcata rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Arcata

About renting in Arcata, CA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Arcata is $1,729/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,110/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,540/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,180/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,160/mo.

At 44% of local median household income ($46,713/yr), Arcata ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 8.4% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Arcata an affordable city for renters?

Arcata is considered stretched for renters. At $1,729/mo, rent takes approximately 44% of the local median household income ($46,713/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Arcata significantly exceeds that threshold, making it challenging for many renters.

How much income do you need to rent in Arcata?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $69,000/year (~$33/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,729/mo in Arcata. The local median household income is $46,713/yr, meaning the typical Arcata household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Arcata?

Rent in Arcata has increased 8.4% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Arcata rent compare to other cities in California?

Arcata is one of the more affordable cities in California for rent, ranking #365 out of 381 tracked cities at $1,729/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Arcata?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Arcata ($1,729/mo): Fortuna ($1,240/mo), Eureka ($1,526/mo).

What percentage of Arcata residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 63.6% of Arcata households are renters, while 36.4% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Arcata has a strong rental market.

How does Arcata rent compare to the national average?

Arcata's median rent of $1,729/mo is $233 (12%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within California, it ranks #365 out of 381 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
44%
STRETCHED

At $1,729/mo, rent takes ~44% of Arcata's median household income ($46,713/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Arcata 44%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the Arcata affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Arcata
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Arcata, CA

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