Location: Humboldt County, CA | Metro: Humboldt County, CA
Based on 1% Rule: A+ (≥1.5%) | A (≥1.2%) | B (≥1.0%) | C (≥0.8%) | D (≥0.6%) | F (<0.6%)
| Unit Size | Monthly FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $1,040 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,100 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,440 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,990 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $2,410 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $2,796 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $3,132 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $3,383 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $3,552 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-08-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $1,100 | $271,177 | 0.41% | F |
| 2BR | $1,440 | $335,172 | 0.43% | F |
| 3BR | $1,990 | $408,607 | 0.49% | F |
| 4BR | $2,410 | $465,623 | 0.52% | F |
| 5BR | $2,796 | $505,188 | 0.55% | F |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
59.0% of Eureka, CA's residents are renters, indicating a strong demand for rental properties in ZIP 95501. The Fair Market Rent (FMR) for the metro area in fiscal year 2026 is set at $1,420, which closely aligns with the market rent of $1,427 as indicated by ZORI. This suggests that the rental market is fairly priced and reflective of what tenants can expect to pay. Landlords should note that the median home value stands at $388,886, providing a benchmark for property values in the area. Additionally, the median income of $54,137 offers insight into the financial capacity of potential tenants. Despite the strong rental market, only 0.2% of listings have been reported to be on sale with a price cut, which could imply that sellers are maintaining their asking prices or that the market remains stable without significant pressure to reduce prices. Given these figures, it is clear that Eureka, CA presents a favorable environment for landlords and small-portfolio investors looking to capitalize on the rental market. However, the absence of data on days on market (DOM) limits our ability to fully assess the speed at which properties are leased. In conclusion, the alignment between the FMR and market rent, combined with a high renter share and stable median home values, makes Eureka, CA a suitable location for Section 8 investments.
Data Sources: FMR data from HUD (2027). Median home prices from Zillow (2026-08-31). Demographics from U.S. Census (2024).
About FMR: Fair Market Rent (FMR) is used to determine payment standards for the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program, initial renewal rents for some expiring project-based Section 8 contracts, and rent ceilings for HOME Investment Partnerships.