At $1,577/mo, rent takes about 30% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,577 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 →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
30% of the median household income ($62,289) is $1,557 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,370); a 3-bedroom is $1,920.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Fortuna. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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Who lives here
Fortuna, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a median income below the national average, 24.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Fortuna, CA has changed in 5 years
Census figures show median household income at $62,289 today, compared with $53,526 five years earlier. The population has contracted by 1.2% since 2021, moving from about 12,480 residents to roughly 12,326. Renters now make up 43.9% of households, compared with 41.5% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 24.8% of adults here, versus 21.1% in 2021.
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Can you afford rent in Fortuna on your salary?
At $1,577/mo, how Fortuna rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Fortuna rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Fortuna. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Fortuna
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Fortuna is $1,577/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $990/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,370/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,050/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,920/mo.
At 30% of local median household income ($62,289/yr), Fortuna ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
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Is rent going up or down in Fortuna?
How does Fortuna rent compare to other cities in California?
At $1,577/mo, rent takes ~30% of Fortuna's median household income ($62,289/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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