Cost of Living in Modoc County, California
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
How Modoc County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Modoc County ranks #1,630 of 3,144 counties for affordability (bottom 48%)
Data Story
About Cost of Living in Modoc County, California
Modoc beats the national affordability test
Modoc County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.3% sits well below the national sweet spot of 28-30%, making it genuinely affordable for renters. With a median household income of $56,648, residents spend far less on housing than the typical American household relative to what they earn.
Most affordable rent in California
Modoc County's 17.3% rent-to-income ratio ranks it among California's most affordable counties, beating the state average of 22.4% by a substantial margin. Its median gross rent of $818 per month is roughly half the state's median of $1,618, offering rare relief in an expensive state.
A pocket of affordability in the north
Modoc's rents are roughly half those of neighboring Plumas County ($1,034/month) and a third of Nevada County's ($1,635/month). Among the eight-county comparison set, Modoc stands alone as the most affordable place to rent, making it an outlier in California's housing market.
Housing takes a modest bite here
Renters dedicate 17.3% of their $56,648 median income to rent ($818/month), while homeowners commit 14% to ownership costs ($659/month). This leaves most Modoc households substantial room in their budgets—a luxury increasingly rare across California.
Consider Modoc for true affordability
If housing costs are eating your paycheck, Modoc County offers one of California's last genuinely affordable housing markets. The trade-off is location and amenities, but your $56,648 median income stretches dramatically further here than anywhere else in the state.
Cost of Living Advisory: Modoc County
Affordability Verdict
For renters in Modoc County, the market is affordable. Expect to pay around $818/month in gross rent, with 33.0% of renter households considered cost-burdened.
Rent vs. Own
Renters in Modoc County pay $818/month on average, compared to $659/month for homeowners. This market favors buyers by about 19%.
Income Needed
To afford the median rent without exceeding 30% of gross income, a household needs to earn approximately $32,720/year. For owner costs at the 28% rule, the required income is roughly $28,243/year. With a median household income of $56,648, most households can comfortably afford rent here. Notably, 33.0% of renter households in Modoc County are cost-burdened, spending more than 30% of income on housing.
Regional Context
Compared to Trinity County where rent averages $922/month, Modoc County is approximately 11% less expensive.
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Modoc County
Rent Burden
17.3%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,322
per month
Owner Cost Burden
14.0%
of gross income
The median home in Modoc County may be a stretch
Median home value is $212,000. Estimated monthly cost: $1,692 vs. your max of $1,322.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
See how much you need to earn to comfortably afford housing
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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
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See Today's RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023) — Informational only. Not financial or legal advice.
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