Cost of Living in Arcata, CA

With a cost of living index of 116, Arcata, CA is a notably expensive place to live. Living here is 16% more expensive than the national average and 28% below the California state average of 144. Arcata is a smaller community of 18,578 residents, where everyday costs can differ substantially from nearby larger cities.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in Arcata's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $1,287 (2% below the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $466,600 (53% above the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 9.6x the median household income — a challenging ratio that puts homeownership out of reach for many residents.

The median household income in Arcata is $48,731, which is 35% lower than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 32% of household income on rent. This exceeds the recommended 30% threshold, meaning many renters here are cost-burdened.

Data sources: US Census Bureau (ACS 2023), Zillow Home Values, HUD Fair Market Rents, BEA Regional Price Parities, BLS Average Prices, and NOAA Climate Normals. Updated monthly.