salaryRent is lower than in 62% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 9.6 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Commutes are short, about 17.8 minutes. Most households rent (64%), so there are plenty of rental options.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $57,040 a year. That is $27 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other California cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of California. It is number 65 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Arcata?
Share of households by yearly income. 17.9% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Arcata
| Size | Arcata | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,165 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,151 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,495 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,244 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,415 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Arcata overall?
Everyday prices in California overall are 11% above the U.S. average (index 110.7, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Arcata, so the California figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Arcata
Life in Arcata
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Arcata?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,936 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $484,600 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $48,460 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Arcata, CA?
Renting in Arcata costs a median of about $1,426 a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in Arcata?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $57,040 a year, or $27 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Arcata cheap or expensive?
Arcata is rated Expensive: rent takes 34.0% of the typical household income of $50,380. It ranks 65th cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Arcata?
The median homeowner in Arcata pays $2,896 a year in property taxes, about 0.60% of the median home value.
Is Arcata more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in California are 11% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Arcata?
The median home value in Arcata is $484,600, about 9.6 times the typical yearly household income.
18,607 people live in Arcata. Numbers are typical (middle) values.