Cost of Living in Mendocino County, California
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
These figures are county medians, not a personal budget. Use them to frame rent, ownership, and income tradeoffs, then account for household size, commute, financing, insurance, taxes, debt, and local availability before making a decision.
How Mendocino County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Mendocino County ranks #2,768 of 3,142 counties for affordability (bottom 12%)
Sourced county brief
Mendocino County Renter Median Income Estimated at 48,929 Dollars
The median renter-household income in Mendocino County was estimated at $48,929. The median gross rent for the county was $1,317, which is lower than the California unweighted county mean of $1,691. Official ACS B25071 GRAPI data shows that the median gross rent as a percentage of household income is 32.3%. This is 0.6 percentage points above the state unweighted county mean of 31.7%. The median home value in the county was $512,200, below the state unweighted mean of $604,112. Median selected monthly owner costs for owner-occupied units are $1,430. All data points are based on the 2020-2024 ACS 5-Year Estimates. See ACS table B25119 for the underlying estimate.
Source record
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25064 Median Gross Rent
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25071 GRAPI
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25077 Median Home Value
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25088 Selected Monthly Owner Costs
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25119 Household Income by Tenure
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-brief-v1
Cost of Living Advisory: Mendocino County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 32.3% of renter household income in Mendocino County, which is between the 30% and 50% rent-burden benchmarks. This is a median percentage among renter-occupied units, not the share of households above a threshold.
Rent vs. Own
Median gross rent is $1,317 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $1,430. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $52,680 in annual gross income would allocate 30% to the county's median gross rent. This is a reproducible illustration, not evidence that a particular household can afford housing.
Regional Context
The California unweighted mean of county median rents is $1,691 per month. Mendocino County's $1,317 median is 22.1% below that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Mendocino County
Rent Burden
23.2%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,589
per month
Owner Cost Burden
25.2%
of gross income
The median home in Mendocino County may be a stretch
Median home value is $512,200. Estimated monthly cost: $4,089 vs. your max of $1,589.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
See how much you need to earn to comfortably afford housing
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
Based on the 30% rule for rent and 28% rule for housing costs (mortgage + owner costs). Mortgage estimate assumes 20% down, 7.2% interest, 30-year fixed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Mendocino County, California?
What is the median rent in Mendocino County?
Is Mendocino County affordable?
How does Mendocino County's rent compare to the state average?
What is the median home value in Mendocino County?
Counties with Similar Housing Costs
Planning a Move?
Researching the cost of living in Mendocino County, California? Compare moving quotes from top providers and save on your relocation.
Compare Moving QuotesCompare Mortgage Rates in Mendocino County
Whether you're buying in Mendocino County, California, or refinancing, compare rates from top lenders using the terms each lender provides.
See Today's RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2020-2024). Data is informational only and is not personalized financial advice.
CostByCounty participates in affiliate programs. We may earn a commission when you use our links, at no extra cost to you.