Unaffordable

What Salary Do You Need to Live in Crescent City?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Crescent City, you need to earn at least $54,080/year based on estimated fair market rent data. The median household income here is $39,812, which means the typical resident is $14,268 below the threshold.

Census ACS Data Pop. 6,379

Salary Required by Bedroom Size

Bedroom	Monthly Rent	Monthly Income	Annual Salary	vs. Median
Studio	$946	$3,153	$37,840	$-1,972
1 Bedroom	$1,122	$3,740	$44,880	+$5,068
2 Bedroom BENCHMARK	$1,352	$4,507	$54,080	+$14,268
3 Bedroom	$1,649	$5,497	$65,960	+$26,148
4 Bedroom	$2,028	$6,760	$81,120	+$41,308

Affordability Breakdown

Where the required salary line crosses above Crescent City's median income — housing becomes unaffordable for the typical resident.

Required Salary Median Income

Income vs. Rent Snapshot

Median Income

$39,812

Annual household

2BR Required Salary

$54,080

Under 30% rule

Income Gap

-$14,268

Deficit

Verdict

Unaffordable

Ratio: 40.8%

The 30% Rule Calculator

Enter your annual salary to see what you can afford in Crescent City

Your Annual Salary

Pre-filled with Crescent City's median household income

Max monthly rent you can afford$995

Studio

$946/mo

1 BR

$1,122/mo

2 BR

$1,352/mo

3 BR

$1,649/mo

4 BR

$2,028/mo

Your salary is $0 above the median income in Crescent City.

Salary Comparison by Bedroom

Bars left of the marker line are affordable for Crescent City's median earner. Bars to the right require above-median income.

Affordable Above Median Median Income

What This Means If You're Moving to Crescent City

Renting in Crescent City is unaffordable for most median earners. The $14,268 income gap means a 2-bedroom at $1,352/month requires significant above-median earnings or a dual-income household to be sustainable.

For those committed to Crescent City, the realistic options are: (1) target a studio at $946/month, which requires $37,840/year — closer to the median; (2) find a roommate for a 2-bedroom, cutting individual costs to ~$676/month; or (3) negotiate remote work and live in a more affordable California city.

To live comfortably in Crescent City without financial strain, you realistically need a household income of $81,120 or higher. This isn't just about rent — it accounts for California's overall cost of living including transportation, food, and healthcare.

Economic Outlook

Local Job Market & Housing Dynamics

Affording rent isn't just about housing prices—it's heavily dependent on local employment opportunities and the strength of the job market in Crescent City, California.

With a total population of 6,379, the city supports an active civilian workforce of 1,694 people. A strong employment base often indicates a stable economy, which is crucial when committing to a lease requiring a $54,080 annual salary. The ratio of employed residents to the total population provides insight into the local economic health and competition for both jobs and housing.

Employed Workforce

1,694

Active civilian employees in Crescent City

Frequently Asked Questions About Renting in Crescent City

What salary do I need to live in Crescent City, California?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Crescent City under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of at least $54,080. The median household income in Crescent City is $39,812.

Can I afford a 2-bedroom in Crescent City on $39,812?

The affordability verdict for Crescent City is "Unaffordable". The rent-to-income ratio is 40.8%, meaning there's a $14,268 income gap.

What is the average rent in Crescent City compared to median income?

The median gross rent in Crescent City is $1,122/month. With a median household income of $39,812, residents spend approximately 40.8% of their income on rent.

What salary do I need for a studio in Crescent City?

A studio in Crescent City rents for approximately $946/month. Under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of $37,840 to afford this.

Is Crescent City considered an affordable place to live?

Based on the deficit of $14,268 and an affordability verdict of "Unaffordable", Crescent City is considered a unaffordable rental market when comparing the required 2-bedroom salary of $54,080 to the local median household income.

How Crescent City Compares

Other cities in California with salary requirements