Humboldt County's composite score of 67.4 ranks it at the 67th percentile nationally, well ahead of the U.S. median of 50.0. The county delivers meaningful livability advantages to residents compared to the typical American county. This performance is driven primarily by tax efficiency and housing affordability rather than income levels.
2 / 5
Upper tier California county performance
At 67.4, Humboldt County exceeds California's state average of 61.3 and ranks in the upper third of the state's counties. The county performs competitively on composite livability alongside some of California's most recognized regions. Humboldt's position reflects strength in controlling costs and taxes despite lower local incomes.
3 / 5
Low taxes and moderate housing costs
Humboldt's tax score of 83.9 (effective rate 0.652%) and cost score of 66.1 combine to create financial breathing room for residents. A median home value of $418,800 with monthly rent at $1,249 offers reasonable housing costs for a California coastal county. These dimensions provide meaningful economic stability relative to coastal California norms.
4 / 5
Lowest income levels and incomplete data
Humboldt's income score of 23.3 reflects a median household income of just $61,135—the lowest among these eight counties and significantly below state and national averages. Safety, health, schools, and environmental metrics remain unavailable, creating gaps in the livability assessment. This income level suggests limited local employment opportunities or a population heavily weighted toward retirees and remote workers.
5 / 5
Best for retirees and remote-working families
Humboldt County is highly suited for retirees with fixed incomes, remote workers not dependent on local wages, and families seeking a coastal lifestyle on a budget. The combination of manageable housing costs, low taxes, and natural amenities creates appeal despite modest local income levels. Traditional career-builders and those needing high local wages should explore other options.
Humboldt County's composite score of 67.4 ranks it at the 67th percentile nationally, well ahead of the U.S. median of 50.0. The county delivers meaningful livability advantages to residents compared to the typical American county. This performance is driven primarily by tax efficiency and housing affordability rather than income levels.
Upper tier California county performance
At 67.4, Humboldt County exceeds California's state average of 61.3 and ranks in the upper third of the state's counties. The county performs competitively on composite livability alongside some of California's most recognized regions. Humboldt's position reflects strength in controlling costs and taxes despite lower local incomes.
Low taxes and moderate housing costs
Humboldt's tax score of 83.9 (effective rate 0.652%) and cost score of 66.1 combine to create financial breathing room for residents. A median home value of $418,800 with monthly rent at $1,249 offers reasonable housing costs for a California coastal county. These dimensions provide meaningful economic stability relative to coastal California norms.
Lowest income levels and incomplete data
Humboldt's income score of 23.3 reflects a median household income of just $61,135—the lowest among these eight counties and significantly below state and national averages. Safety, health, schools, and environmental metrics remain unavailable, creating gaps in the livability assessment. This income level suggests limited local employment opportunities or a population heavily weighted toward retirees and remote workers.
Best for retirees and remote-working families
Humboldt County is highly suited for retirees with fixed incomes, remote workers not dependent on local wages, and families seeking a coastal lifestyle on a budget. The combination of manageable housing costs, low taxes, and natural amenities creates appeal despite modest local income levels. Traditional career-builders and those needing high local wages should explore other options.
Score breakdown
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🏛83.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Humboldt's taxes stay slightly below state average
Humboldt County's effective tax rate of 0.652% is below California's 0.714% average, placing it in the lower-tax tier nationally. The median property tax of $2,731 is just slightly above the national median of $2,690, despite higher regional home values.
Humboldt ranks in the lower-tax middle
At 0.652%, Humboldt County sits comfortably below the state average, positioning it in the bottom half of California counties for tax burden. Its median property tax of $2,731 trails the state average of $4,045, aided by a moderate median home value of $418,800.
Humboldt undercuts most neighboring counties
Humboldt's 0.652% rate beats Fresno County (0.746%), Kern County (0.912%), and Kings County (0.751%), while only slightly exceeding Glenn County (0.647%). The county offers a favorable tax environment for a coastal region with solid home values.
Expect approximately $2,731 yearly in taxes
A median Humboldt County home valued at $418,800 generates an estimated annual property tax bill of $2,731. Homeowners with mortgages typically pay $2,983, while those without mortgages pay around $2,336.
Assessment appeals are worth exploring
Humboldt homeowners should verify their assessed value against recent comparable sales in their neighborhoods. Filing a free appeal with the county assessor could reduce your tax burden if your home's assessed value exceeds its actual market value.
Humboldt County renters spend 24.5% of income on housing, exceeding both California's 22.4% average and the national norm. With the lowest median household income in this group at $61,135—18% below the national median—Humboldt faces a genuine affordability squeeze despite modest absolute rent costs.
Below-average affordability for California
Humboldt County's 24.5% rent-to-income ratio ranks it below the state average of 22.4%, making it one of California's less affordable counties despite its coastal charm. The combination of lower wages and moderate housing costs creates a tighter budget than many other California regions.
Humboldt's coastal affordability gap
Humboldt's median rent of $1,249 is competitive with inland counties like Inyo ($1,140), but its 24.5% rent-to-income ratio is the worst in this comparison due to the lowest income levels. Coastal living carries a wage penalty that offsets Humboldt's moderate absolute housing costs.
Where Humboldt incomes go
Humboldt renters pay $1,249 monthly while homeowners face $1,277 in ownership costs, with a median home value of $418,800 challenging the area's $61,135 median household income. Housing consumes nearly 25% of income, leaving just 75% for all other expenses, a tight margin for most families.
Humboldt: weighing coast vs. budget
Humboldt County offers coastal California living but at the cost of tighter household budgets—renters here dedicate a quarter of their income to housing. If relocating from higher-wage regions, verify that Humboldt job opportunities match your earning potential, as the county's lower income levels mean you'll sacrifice real purchasing power despite its natural beauty.
Humboldt County's median household income of $61,135 runs 18.3% below the national median of $74,755. This reflects economic challenges tied to rural forestry, fishing, and limited urban job markets.
One of California's lower-income counties
At $61,135, Humboldt's median household income significantly underperforms California's state average of $87,001—a gap of nearly $26,000. The county ranks among the lower-earning counties in California's 58-county roster.
Humboldt faces steeper income challenges
Humboldt County ($61,135) earns notably less than all comparison counties, including Imperial County ($56,393) and Kern County ($67,660). This income disparity reflects the county's geographic isolation and economic structure.
Housing costs strain tight household budgets
At 24.5%, Humboldt's rent-to-income ratio is the highest among these eight counties, signaling significant housing cost pressure on residents. The median home value of $418,800 represents a major financial burden relative to the county's modest income levels.
Maximize your income potential thoughtfully
Humboldt residents benefit from community resources, local nonprofits, and financial assistance programs designed to support lower-income households. Explore income-boosting opportunities like skills training, employer benefits, and community development financing.
Life expectancy in Humboldt County is 75.8 years—about 2.3 years below the U.S. average of 76.1—while 19.6% of residents report poor or fair health, slightly above the national 18% rate. The county shows moderate health challenges relative to the nation.
Below California health benchmarks
Humboldt's 75.8-year life expectancy trails California's 78.5-year average by 2.7 years, ranking below the state median. However, its 19.6% poor/fair health rate is closer to state norms, suggesting health challenges are real but not as acute as some inland peers.
Mental health services stand out
Humboldt has the highest density of mental health providers (624 per 100K) among these eight counties, nearly triple the rate in Glenn County (199 per 100K), suggesting a proactive approach to behavioral health. But with 61 primary care providers per 100,000, primary care access remains below state benchmarks.
Low uninsured rate, sparse primary care
At 7.0%, Humboldt's uninsured rate nearly matches California's 7.2% average, meaning most residents have coverage. Yet 61 primary care providers per 100,000—below state levels—means geographic isolation and limited appointment availability may delay routine care in this coastal county.
Humboldt residents: stay covered
Although most Humboldt residents have insurance, about 1 in 14 remain uninsured and vulnerable to health crises. Visit CoveredCA.com to review or upgrade your coverage, especially important given limited local primary care options.
Humboldt County's composite risk score of 96.76 places it in the 'Relatively High' category, well above the national average. The county's coastal location and seismic setting create sustained exposure to multiple major hazards. This elevated rating reflects the serious, converging disaster risks that shape life in Humboldt communities.
Humboldt ranks among state's highest risks
Humboldt's 96.76 score substantially exceeds California's 88.72 average, placing it in the upper tier of the state's 58 counties. The county's high ranking reflects consistent elevation across earthquake, flood, and wildfire hazards. This statewide comparison underscores Humboldt's particularly challenging natural disaster exposure.
Humboldt's risks echo coastal seismic peers
Humboldt's 96.76 score ranks near fellow high-risk counties Fresno (99.30), Kern (98.89), and Imperial (96.47), reflecting shared major hazard exposure. The county's coastal earthquake risk of 98.98 particularly distinguishes it from inland neighbors. Among northern California counties, Humboldt faces proportionally higher composite risk than most peers.
Earthquake, flood, and wildfire all extreme
Humboldt's earthquake risk reaches a critical 98.98, while flood risk scores 94.18 and wildfire risk hits 95.52. The county's coastal setting amplifies flood and seismic hazards, while regional fire seasons drive wildfire exposure. This convergence of near-maximum hazard scores makes Humboldt one of California's most complex disaster-risk environments.
Comprehensive coverage essential for Humboldt
Humboldt residents must prioritize earthquake insurance given the extreme 98.98 score, plus flood and wildfire coverage appropriate to their specific location. Coastal and valley communities face distinctly different flood patterns, so local risk assessment is critical. Building a complete insurance portfolio now protects your investment against Humboldt's multiple, converging hazards.