Can A Pharmacist Afford Rent in Arcata, CA?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 13.2% of gross income.
Arcata rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (California state estimate).
About rent and a pharmacist salary
Pharmacist pay covers comfortable rent in nearly every US city. At the national-average pharmacist salary, the 30% rule supports about $3,319 a month in rent — above median rent in all but a handful of high-cost coastal metros.
Cheaper rent nearby
These California cities have lower median rent than Arcata, which improves the affordability math on a pharmacist salary:
Compare with full rent data for Arcata
View full rent data for Arcata, CA →Frequently asked questions
Can a pharmacist afford rent in Arcata, CA?
Median rent in Arcata is $1,729 a month. A typical pharmacist in California earns about $156,645 a year, which makes that rent 13.2% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a pharmacist afford in Arcata?
Using the 30% rule, a pharmacist salary in California (~$156,645/yr) supports up to $3,916 a month in rent. Arcata's current median rent is $1,729/mo, which leaves a $2,187/mo buffer.
How many hours does a pharmacist work to cover rent in Arcata?
At an hourly equivalent of about $75 an hour, a pharmacist in California works roughly 23 hours a month to cover Arcata's median rent of $1,729.
Where is rent cheaper than Arcata for a pharmacist?
Nearby California cities with lower median rent include California City ($1,727/mo), Tulare ($1,724/mo), Atwater ($1,724/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a pharmacist salary.