ZIP Code · CA

ZIP 95540

Part of Fortuna, CA

Pop. 14,469·Humboldt County·873rd most expensive ZIP in California

Median rent (all units)

$1,577/mo

Year-over-Year

Stable

Month-over-Month

+2.3%

vs US Median

-$355

Reported rents

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 95540 · $1,577

More affordable than 67% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,020

1 BR

$1,090

2 BR

$1,420

3 BR

$1,970

4 BR+

$2,380

Research median

$1,420/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: October 17, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($63,695) is $1,592 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,420); a 3-bedroom is $1,970.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 95540. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$18,924/yr

At $1,577/mo median

Location

CityFortuna

StateCA

CountyHumboldt County

Rent Market Meter

Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are climbing (0.0% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.

Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +2.3% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 95540 (Fortuna, CA) is majority owner-occupied, has a median income below the national average, 26.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

14,469

Median income

$63,695

Median age

39.1

Renters

43.6%

Age distribution

20.3%

24.4%

23.7%

14.5%

17%

Under 1820.3%

18–3424.4%

35–5423.7%

55–6414.5%

65+17%

Gender

48.5%

51.5%

Male48.5%

Female51.5%

Race & ethnicity

67.1%

23.3%

White67.1%

Black1.7%

Hispanic23.3%

Asian2.8%

Other5.1%

Education (25+)

12.5%

28.3%

33%

26.2%

No HS diploma12.5%

HS diploma28.3%

Some college33%

Bachelor's+26.2%

Housing tenure

56.4%

43.6%

Owner56.4%

Renter43.6%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 95540 in Fortuna, CA has changed in 5 years

Income

$54,020 → $63,695

up 17.9%

Population

14,989 → 14,469

down 3.5%

Renter share

41.8% → 43.6%

+1.8 pts

Bachelor's+

21.5% → 26.2%

+4.7 pts

Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $54,020 in 2021 to $63,695 more recently. Census counts show ZIP 95540 in Fortuna, CA losing about 520 residents over the five-year window, down 3.5% on net. The renter share has risen from 41.8% to 43.6%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 21.5% to 26.2% across the same window.

Community

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Local insights

Tips for renters in ZIP 95540

About renting in ZIP 95540

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 95540 covers Fortuna, CA. The median rent here is $1,577/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,090/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,420/mo.

At 30% of local median household income ($63,695/yr), ZIP 95540 ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 95540?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $63,000/year (about $30/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,577/mo in ZIP 95540. The local median household income is $63,695/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.