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Eureka-Arcata, CA

Cost of living in Humboldt County, CA

Estimated monthly cost
$2,974/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 135,418 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $1,132 38%
Healthcare $480 16%
Groceries $397 13%
Federal tax $377 13%
Transport $250 8%
Energy $217 7%
State tax $61 2%
Water $60 2%

Rent in Humboldt County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$1,065
per month
1 bedroom
$1,132
per month
2 bedroom
$1,478
per month
3 bedroom
$2,071
per month
4 bedroom
$2,482
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Humboldt County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$61,135
per year
Individual earnings
$33,121
per year
Per capita
$36,082
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Humboldt County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$418,800
Annual property tax
$2,731

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Humboldt County

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$167
per month · 30.4¢/kWh
Natural gas
$50
per month
Annual total
$2,604
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Humboldt County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
5.8%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Humboldt County

State and local tax rates for California.

State income tax
13.3%
Top marginal rate
State sales tax
7.3%
Combined sales tax
8.8%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Humboldt County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
19.2 min
Drive alone
67.7%
Public transit
0.8%
Work from home
11.9%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Humboldt County

What it costs to live in Humboldt County each month.

Single person
$2,974
per month
  • Rent $1,132
  • Energy $217
  • Water $60
  • Groceries $397
  • Transport $250
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $377
  • State tax $61
Couple
$4,553
per month
  • Rent $1,478
  • Energy $260
  • Water $70
  • Groceries $658
  • Transport $350
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $670
  • State tax $203
Family
$7,353
per month
  • Rent $2,071
  • Energy $326
  • Water $85
  • Groceries $998
  • Transport $450
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $670
  • State tax $203

Frequently asked questions about Humboldt County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Humboldt County?

In Humboldt County, CA, a one-bedroom apartment averages $1,132 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,478 per month, a three-bedroom averages $2,071 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Humboldt County?

In Humboldt County, CA, the average household income is $61,135 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $33,121 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Humboldt County?

The estimated cost of living in Humboldt County, CA is approximately $2,974 per month for a single person, $4,553 for a couple, $7,353 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Humboldt County?

The combined sales tax rate in Humboldt County, CA is 8.85%, which includes the California state rate of 7.25% plus an average local rate of 1.60%.

Is Humboldt County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Humboldt County, CA would need approximately $2,974 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $61,135 per year ($5,095 per month). Humboldt County has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Humboldt County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Humboldt County, CA is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 5.8% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Humboldt County?

The average home value in Humboldt County, CA is $418,800, with average annual property taxes of $2,731, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Humboldt County compare to other areas?

You can compare Humboldt County, CA with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Humboldt County is in the Eureka-Arcata, CA metro area.

Other counties in California

Browse the full list of counties in California, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in California

Compare Humboldt County with another area

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About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources