Cost of Living in Arcata, CA
Cost indexes, living wages, and fair market rents — 2024 Data
Cost of Living Overview
Overall Index
115.2
100 = national avg
+15.2 vs national average
Living Wage (1 Adult)
$50,688
per year
Living Wage (Family of 4)
$119,807
per year
Cost Index by Category
Housing172.6
Food87.2
Transportation72.5
Healthcare89.8
Utilities106.9
100 = national average. Higher = more expensive.
Fair Market Rent
Source: HUD1 Bedroom
$1,186
per month
2 Bedroom
$1,550
per month
The overall cost of living index in Arcata is 115.2, which is 15.2% above the national average. Housing costs are above the national average at an index of 172.6. A single adult needs to earn approximately $50,688 per year to cover basic expenses.