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City Report · CA

Mckinleyville

Pop. 17,113·362nd most expensive in California·McKinleyville rents are up 20.6% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,774/mo
Year-over-Year
+20.6%
Month-over-Month
+10.4%
vs US Median
-$188
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Mckinleyville · $1,774
More affordable than 56% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
29% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,774/mo, rent takes about 29% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$71,000/yr
Local median income
$73,327/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Mckinleyville's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,070
1 BR
$1,130
2 BR
$1,480
3 BR
$2,070
4 BR+
$2,490
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,480/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,774 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
$21,288/yr
At $1,774/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 20.6% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+20.6% YoY, +10.4% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Mckinleyville, CA is majority owner-occupied, 38.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
17,113
Median income
$73,327
Median age
41.1
Renters
37.1%
Age distribution
22.2%
19.6%
28.9%
19.1%
Under 1822.2%
18–3419.6%
35–5428.9%
55–6410.3%
65+19.1%
Gender
49.6%
50.4%
Male49.6%
Female50.4%
Race & ethnicity
73.9%
12.5%
White73.9%
Hispanic11.1%
Asian2.4%
Other12.5%
Education (25+)
19.3%
36.5%
38.3%
No HS diploma5.8%
HS diploma19.3%
Some college36.5%
Bachelor's+38.3%
Housing tenure
62.9%
37.1%
Owner62.9%
Renter37.1%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Mckinleyville, CA has changed in 5 years

Income
$59,327 → $73,327
up 23.6%
Population
16,457 → 17,113
up 4.0%
Renter share
35.8% → 37.1%
+1.3 pts
Bachelor's+
35.5% → 38.3%
+2.8 pts
Median age
37.4 → 41.1
+3.7 yrs

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.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Mckinleyville on your salary?

At $1,774/mo, how Mckinleyville rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Mckinleyville rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Mckinleyville

About renting in Mckinleyville, CA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Mckinleyville is $1,774/mo as of August 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 29% of local median household income ($73,327/yr), Mckinleyville ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 20.6% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Mckinleyville an affordable city for renters?

Mckinleyville is considered affordable for renters. At $1,774/mo, rent takes approximately 29% of the local median household income ($73,327/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Mckinleyville falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Mckinleyville?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $71,000/year (~$34/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,774/mo in Mckinleyville. The local median household income is $73,327/yr, meaning the typical Mckinleyville household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Mckinleyville?

Rent in Mckinleyville has increased 20.6% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Mckinleyville rent compare to other cities in California?

Mckinleyville is one of the more affordable cities in California for rent, ranking #362 out of 381 tracked cities at $1,774/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Mckinleyville?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Mckinleyville ($1,774/mo): Fortuna ($1,240/mo), Eureka ($1,526/mo), Arcata ($1,729/mo).

What percentage of Mckinleyville residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 37.1% of Mckinleyville households are renters, while 62.9% are owner-occupied. Mckinleyville leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Mckinleyville rent compare to the national average?

Mckinleyville's median rent of $1,774/mo is $188 (10%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within California, it ranks #362 out of 381 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
29%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,774/mo, rent takes ~29% of Mckinleyville's median household income ($73,327/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Mckinleyville 29%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the Mckinleyville affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

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Public schools near Mckinleyville, CA

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