At $1,908/mo, rent takes about 31% 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 $1,908 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
Rent in Mckinleyville changed +3.9% over the year to September 2026. Across the 336 California cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +3.4%.
Rent has risen 3 months in a row, and rose in 6 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($73,327) is $1,833 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,480); a 3-bedroom is $2,070.
Arcata, 7 miles away, rents for 17% less ($1,582/mo), about $3,900 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Mckinleyville. 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
Mckinleyville, CA is majority owner-occupied, 38.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Mckinleyville, CA has changed in 5 years
Household income in the area moved from $59,327 to $73,327 across the same window, up 23.6% versus 2021. Census counts show Mckinleyville, CA adding about 656 residents over the five-year window, up 4.0% on net. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 35.5% to 38.3% across the same window.
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Can you afford rent in Mckinleyville on your salary?
At $1,908/mo, how Mckinleyville rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Mckinleyville rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Mckinleyville. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Mckinleyville
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Mckinleyville is $1,908/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,070/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,480/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,130/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,070/mo.
At 31% of local median household income ($73,327/yr), Mckinleyville ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 3.9% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Mckinleyville?
Is rent going up or down in Mckinleyville?
How does Mckinleyville rent compare to other cities in California?
At $1,908/mo, rent takes ~31% of Mckinleyville's median household income ($73,327/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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