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City Report · CA

Eureka

Pop. 26,010·379th most expensive in California·Eureka rents are up 8.0% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,528/mo
Year-over-Year
+8.0%
Month-over-Month
+4.2%
vs US Median
-$437
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Eureka · $1,528
More affordable than 74% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
32% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,528/mo, rent takes about 32% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$61,000/yr
Local median income
$57,662/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Eureka's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$980
1 BR
$1,040
2 BR
$1,360
3 BR
$1,910
4 BR+
$2,280
Research median
$1,360/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$18,336/yr
At $1,528/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 8.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+8.0% YoY, +4.2% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Eureka, CA is roughly split between renters and owners, has a median income below the national average, 29% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
26,010
Median income
$57,662
Median age
39.1
Renters
52.2%
Age distribution
19.3%
23.9%
29.4%
16.7%
Under 1819.3%
18–3423.9%
35–5429.4%
55–6410.8%
65+16.7%
Gender
50.2%
49.8%
Male50.2%
Female49.8%
Race & ethnicity
68.2%
15.9%
White68.2%
Black2.8%
Hispanic15.9%
Asian5.6%
Other7.5%
Education (25+)
23.1%
37.8%
29%
No HS diploma10%
HS diploma23.1%
Some college37.8%
Bachelor's+29%
Housing tenure
47.8%
52.2%
Owner47.8%
Renter52.2%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Eureka, CA has changed in 5 years

Income
$46,926 → $57,662
up 22.9%
Population
26,763 → 26,010
down 2.8%
Renter share
52.6% → 52.2%
-0.4 pts
Bachelor's+
29.8% → 29%
-0.8 pts
Median age
38.2 → 39.1
+0.9 yrs

Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $46,926 in 2021 to $57,662 more recently. The population has contracted by 2.8% since 2021, moving from about 26,763 residents to roughly 26,010.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Eureka on your salary?

At $1,528/mo, how Eureka rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Eureka rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Eureka

About renting in Eureka, CA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Eureka is $1,528/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $980/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,360/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,040/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,910/mo.

At 32% of local median household income ($57,662/yr), Eureka ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 8.0% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Eureka an affordable city for renters?

Eureka is considered moderate for renters. At $1,528/mo, rent takes approximately 32% of the local median household income ($57,662/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Eureka slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Eureka?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $61,000/year (~$29/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,528/mo in Eureka. The local median household income is $57,662/yr, meaning the typical Eureka household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Eureka?

Rent in Eureka has increased 8.0% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Eureka rent compare to other cities in California?

Eureka is one of the more affordable cities in California for rent, ranking #379 out of 387 tracked cities at $1,528/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Eureka?

Fortuna is nearby and more affordable at $1,268/mo, which is $260 less than Eureka.

What percentage of Eureka residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 52.2% of Eureka households are renters, while 47.8% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Eureka has a strong rental market.

How does Eureka rent compare to the national average?

Eureka's median rent of $1,528/mo is $437 (22%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #379 out of 387 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
32%
MODERATE

At $1,528/mo, rent takes ~32% of Eureka's median household income ($57,662/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Eureka 32%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the Eureka affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Eureka
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Eureka, CA

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