| Index | Arcata | California | National |
| Cost of living | 133 | 141 | 100 |
| Groceries | 110 | 111 | 100 |
| Health care | 117 | 116 | 100 |
| Housing | 169 | 197 | 100 |
| Transportation | 115 | 118 | 100 |
| Utilities | 120 | 119 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 123 | 120 | 100 |
| Household Items | 113 | 111 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 131 | 127 | 100 |
Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Arcata? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Arcata stands at 133, making it 33% higher than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.
If you're in pursuit of an economical living environment, Arcata may not fit the bill, as it ranks among the most expensive places to reside in the United States. Just a minority of regions exhibit a cost of living that is more than 20% higher than the national average, and, unfortunately, Arcata falls within this bracket.
When it comes to the cost of living in Arcata, housing costs are a real heavyweight, often hogging a significant chunk of your earnings. Sadly, in this area, housing expenses for both buying and renting were 68.9% more expensive compared to your average city. That means you'll be shelling out more for homes, rents, mortgage rates and insurance.
Recurring household expenses such as cleaning supplies, laundry detergent, toiletries, and kitchen basics are a steady part of monthly spending and make up 8% of the cost of living index. In Arcata, these everyday items will cost you 13.4% more than average, making it a slightly more expensive place to call home.
The surge in grocery costs is indeed alarming, especially when groceries make up a large portion of your monthly expenditures. Over the past two years, there has been an inflation of over 10% in grocery prices. Unfortunately, Arcata does not fare better, with grocery expenses coming in at 10.2% higher than the national average.
The most insightful perspective on a city comes from its residents. We recently surveyed 11 locals to gauge their perception of the cost of living in Arcata. The feedback revealed that 0% of respondents found the cost of living to be reasonable, with prices on the decline, while 100% regarded it as notably expensive with prices that continue to rise.
Wondering if Arcata is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Arcata, for example, the median home price is 96.1% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 5.4% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Arcata boasting a median household income of $57,586, which is 29.2% lower than the national average.
Housing: Elevated demand for housing within coveted locales has the propensity to escalate both property values and rental rates, thereby serving as a primary catalyst for an augmented cost of living. Conversely, areas witnessing diminished housing demand, particularly within less desirable environs, often experience an inversely proportional effect, leading to price reductions and subsequently contributing to a more modest cost of living. In Arcata, the housing index is 68.9% higher than the national average.
Subsidies: Certain regions may provide government subsidies or assistance initiatives designed to alleviate the cost of living burden on their residents. These programs encompass a wide range of support mechanisms, such as Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farming subsidies. Areas with fewer subsidy offerings might experience an elevation in their cost of living.
Groceries: Grocery expenditures have undergone notable escalation over the last 2-3 years. In some markets, the cost of food products has surged by more than 20%, while others have experienced only modest increments. These fluctuations in food costs can have a significant impact on the overall cost of living in any region. In Arcata, the groceries index registers 10.2% higher than the national average.
The Arcata cost of living data above is designed around a U.S. average baseline of 100, allowing for easy comparisons of relative living costs. Housing incorporates U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other figures are AI-assisted estimates that account for regional price trends, climate, transportation dynamics, and common everyday expenses. These values are best used as directional city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $115,225 | $9,602 | $2,688 | $3,457 |
| Renters | $38,788 | $3,232 | $905 | $1,164 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| California | 7.25% | 10.5% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| California | 1% | 13.3% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Fields Landing, CA | 601 | 117 | 17.4% |
| Samoa, CA | 219 | 117 | 16.6% |
| Bayview, CA | 2,876 | 121 | 21.1% |
| Eureka, CA | 27,853 | 124 | 24.3% |
| Manila, CA | 790 | 127 | 26.5% |
| Arcata, CA | 18,799 | 133 | 32.8% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Bensenville, IL | 18,797 | 106 | 6.2% |
| Newburyport, MA | 18,788 | 161 | 61.0% |
| Cameron Park, CA | 18,822 | 147 | 46.7% |
| Manchester, MO | 18,771 | 106 | 5.6% |
| Midland, ON | 18,769 | n/a | |
| Arcata, CA | 18,799 | 133 | 32.8% |
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