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City Report · CA

Fortuna

Pop. 12,326·405th most expensive in California·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,268/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+4.5%
vs US Median
-$697
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Fortuna · $1,268
More affordable than 86% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
24% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,268/mo, rent takes about 24% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$51,000/yr
Local median income
$62,289/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Fortuna's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$990
1 BR
$1,050
2 BR
$1,370
3 BR
$1,920
4 BR+
$2,300
Research median
$1,370/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: March 14, 2026

Annual cost
$15,216/yr
At $1,268/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 0.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +4.5% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

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.

Population
12,326
Median income
$62,289
Median age
37.4
Renters
43.9%
Age distribution
20.7%
24.7%
22.9%
14.4%
17.3%
Under 1820.7%
18–3424.7%
35–5422.9%
55–6414.4%
65+17.3%
Gender
47.7%
52.3%
Male47.7%
Female52.3%
Race & ethnicity
64.5%
26.7%
White64.5%
Black2%
Hispanic26.7%
Asian2.8%
Other3.9%
Education (25+)
14.2%
28.9%
32.1%
24.8%
No HS diploma14.2%
HS diploma28.9%
Some college32.1%
Bachelor's+24.8%
Housing tenure
56.1%
43.9%
Owner56.1%
Renter43.9%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Fortuna, CA has changed in 5 years

Income
$53,526 → $62,289
up 16.4%
Population
12,480 → 12,326
down 1.2%
Renter share
41.5% → 43.9%
+2.4 pts
Bachelor's+
21.1% → 24.8%
+3.7 pts
Median age
40.2 → 37.4
-2.8 yrs

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.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Fortuna on your salary?

At $1,268/mo, how Fortuna rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Fortuna rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Fortuna

About renting in Fortuna, CA

Last updated: March 14, 2026

The median rent in Fortuna is $1,268/mo as of March 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 24% of local median household income ($62,289/yr), Fortuna ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Fortuna an affordable city for renters?

Fortuna is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,268/mo, rent takes approximately 24% of the local median household income ($62,289/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Fortuna falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Fortuna?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $51,000/year (~$25/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,268/mo in Fortuna. The local median household income is $62,289/yr, meaning the typical Fortuna household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Fortuna?

Rent in Fortuna has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of March 2026.

How does Fortuna rent compare to other cities in California?

Fortuna is one of the more affordable cities in California for rent, ranking #405 out of 405 tracked cities at $1,268/mo.

What percentage of Fortuna residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 43.9% of Fortuna households are renters, while 56.1% are owner-occupied. Fortuna leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Fortuna rent compare to the national average?

Fortuna's median rent of $1,268/mo is $697 (35%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #405 out of 405 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
24%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,268/mo, rent takes ~24% of Fortuna's median household income ($62,289/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Fortuna 24%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the Fortuna affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Fortuna
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Fortuna, CA

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