California · Census, HUD and BEA figures · Updated

Cost of Living in Humboldt County, CA

Prices around Humboldt County, CA run 10.7% above the U.S. average (BEA, California). The typical household there earns $61,160 a year, and HUD puts a two-bedroom at $1,550 a month. Keeping that rent under 30% of income takes about $62,000 a year.

Humboldt County, CA at a glance

Median household income

$61,160$5,097 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-bedroom rent$1,550HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price level (U.S. = 100)110.7+10.7% · BEA, California
Electricity34.7¢per kWh · EIA Residential CA
Population134,541Census ACS 5-year estimate

How much rent can you afford in Humboldt County, CA?

HUD’s fair market rent for each size, against what a typical household here earns. Change the income to see yours.

Moderate cost burden (30–50%)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,550Monthly market rent
Share of gross income30.4%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$62,000To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,529At 30% of $61,160
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

How much is rent in Humboldt County, CA? By bedroom, 2026

HUD's fiscal 2026 Fair Market Rents for Humboldt County, CA, with the income each one takes if rent stays under 30% of it.

HUD Fair Market Rent in Humboldt County, CA, fiscal 2026
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$1,112$13,344$44,48021.8%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,186$14,232$47,44023.3%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,550$18,600$62,00030.4%
3-Bedroom Home$2,156$25,872$86,24042.3%
4-Bedroom Home$2,600$31,200$104,00051%

Rent in Humboldt County, CA, with the wage each unit needs →

What a typical income covers in Humboldt County, CA

The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $61,160 a year ($5,097 a month before tax).

Needs (50%)$2,548/moRent ($1,550 2-BR), utilities (~$313/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,529/moEating out, travel, subscriptions and the rest
Savings and debt (20%)$1,019/moEmergency fund, retirement, paying down loans

What $61,160 leaves after California taxes

Federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and California tax on the local median income. Change the salary to see yours.

$61,160
$20,000$125,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$61,160
Net 81%
Fed 8%
CA 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$49,613After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,134Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,908Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate18.9%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$5,159 / yr
California state income tax$1,709 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$4,679 / yr

Living in Humboldt County, CA: common questions

What is the median household income in Humboldt County, CA?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Humboldt County, CA is $61,160 per year (approximately $5,097 per month).

What is the average rent in Humboldt County, CA?

The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $1,112 for a studio, $1,186 for one bedroom, $1,550 for two, $2,156 for three and $2,600 for four, utilities included.

It is not an average of listings. HUD sets it at the rent 40% of recent movers paid or less for a standard unit, so a new lease on a nicer place will usually cost more.

Is Humboldt County, CA expensive to live in?

Prices there run 10.7% above the U.S. average. BEA's regional price parity for California is 110.7, where the U.S. is 100. Rent moves the number most: housing is where places differ, while goods cost about the same everywhere.

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Humboldt County, CA?

To keep a $1,550 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $62,000 a year, or $5,167 a month. That is 101% of what the typical household in Humboldt County, CA earns.

How much do you need to live comfortably in Humboldt County, CA?

On the local median income of $61,160 ($5,097 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $2,548 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $1,529 for everything else and $1,019 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $1,550 takes 61% of the needs share.

How much is the electric bill in Humboldt County, CA?

Homes in California paid 34.7¢ per kWh on average (EIA). At 900 kWh a month, a typical use, that is about $313. Your bill depends mostly on heating and cooling.