City · 7,032 residents · Mendocino County, California
Fort Bragg, California
In Fort Bragg, a typical home is worth $535,400 and typical rent is $1,290 a month. Compared with all of Mendocino County, typical household income is 17% lower and the share of households that own their home is 15 points lower.
Typical home value from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $636,345 to $544,716.
From Zillow (ZHVI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).
Fort Bragg is in Mendocino County. The FHA loan limit ($546,250 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Mendocino County. See the county
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
1
Nearby, in Clearlake, the typical home value is $214,200: 60% less than in Fort Bragg ($535,400).
2
46% of households in Fort Bragg own their home, against 62% in Mendocino County.
3
Nearby, in Lakeport, the typical rent is $1,063: 18% less than in Fort Bragg ($1,290).
4
The typical household income in Fort Bragg is $56,481,17% less than in Mendocino County as a whole ($68,092).
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
The homes here
Housing in Fort Bragg
What homes there are in Fort Bragg, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).
What homes there are
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Kind of home
Detached houseAttached houseBuilding of 2 to 4Apartments (5 or more)Mobile homeBoat, RV and otherUnreliable estimate
Fort Bragg
Mendocino County
California
United States
Kind of home: Fort Bragg and its comparisons
Measure
Fort Bragg
Mendocino County
California
United States
Detached house
67%
72%
57%
61%
Attached house
Unreliable estimate
3%
7%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
12%
6%
8%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
13%
8%
24%
19%
Mobile home
5%
10%
4%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0%
0%
The detached house is still the most common home in Fort Bragg, but it weighs less than in Mendocino County: 67% against 72%.
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or laterUnreliable estimate
Fort Bragg
Mendocino County
California
United States
Year built: Fort Bragg and its comparisons
Measure
Fort Bragg
Mendocino County
California
United States
Before 1960
44%
25%
27%
26%
1960–1979
31%
32%
29%
24%
1980–1999
21%
29%
25%
25%
2000–2009
Unreliable estimate
9%
11%
14%
2010 or later
Unreliable estimate
6%
8%
11%
Homes in Fort Bragg are older: the typical year built is 1964; in Mendocino County, 1977.
What it costs here
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Value of owner-occupied homes
Unreliable estimate
Under $100KUnreliable
$100K–$200KUnreliable
$200K–$300KUnreliable
$300K–$500K35%
$500K–$750K49%
$750K–$1MUnreliable
$1M or moreUnreliable
Value of owner-occupied homes: Fort Bragg and its comparisons
Measure
Fort Bragg
Under $100K
Unreliable estimate
$100K–$200K
Unreliable estimate
$200K–$300K
Unreliable estimate
$300K–$500K
35%
$500K–$750K
49%
$750K–$1M
Unreliable estimate
$1M or more
Unreliable estimate
Monthly rent with utilities
Under the limitOver the limitUnreliable estimate
Under $50015%
$500–$99922%
$1,000–$1,49926%
$1,500–$1,99924%
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms: $1,683
$2,000–$2,499Unreliable
$2,500–$2,999Unreliable
$3,000 or moreUnreliable
Monthly rent with utilities: Fort Bragg and its comparisons
Measure
Fort Bragg
Under $500
15%
$500–$999
22%
$1,000–$1,499
26%
$1,500–$1,999
24%
$2,000–$2,499
Unreliable estimate
$2,500–$2,999
Unreliable estimate
$3,000 or more
Unreliable estimate
HUD's 2-bedroom fair market rent (FMR) for Mendocino County is $1,683; about 73% of rents in Fort Bragg are below it.
With a mortgage
$2,098 a month
Mendocino County: $2,417 a month
Without a mortgage
$857 a month
Mendocino County: $761 a month
Owners with a mortgage
61%
Mendocino County: 51%
In Fort Bragg, 61% of owners have a mortgage, and their typical cost is $2,098 a month, against $2,417 in Mendocino County. Without one it drops to $857.
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
Fort Bragg+57%
Mendocino County+36%
California+46%
United States+53%
Typical rent
Fort Bragg+19%
Mendocino County+15%
California+36%
United States+33%
Typical household income
Fort BraggNo clear change
Mendocino County+32%
California+32%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: Fort Bragg and its comparisons
Measure
Fort Bragg
Mendocino County
California
United States
Typical home value
+57%
+36%
+46%
+53%
Typical rent
+19%
+15%
+36%
+33%
Typical household income
No clear change
+32%
+32%
+29%
Since 2015–2019, homes in Fort Bragg gained value faster than in Mendocino County: 57% against 36%.
Since 2015–2019, the typical rent in Fort Bragg rose 19%, more than in Mendocino County (15%).
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: Fort Bragg and its comparisons
Measure
Fort Bragg
Mendocino County
California
United States
Rental vacancy
Unreliable estimate
2.8%
4.2%
5.5%
Homeowner vacancy
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0.8%
0.9%
More than one person per room
Unreliable estimate
5.0%
8.2%
3.4%
People per household
2.20
2.53
2.84
2.53
Drive alone
75%
71%
66%
69%
Carpool
12%
10%
10%
9%
Public transit
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
3%
3%
Walk or bike
Unreliable estimate
6%
3%
3%
Work from home
Unreliable estimate
12%
17%
15%
Other means
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
2%
2%
Typical commute
Unreliable estimate
10 to 19 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
Fewer people live in each home here: 2.20 on average, against 2.53 in Mendocino County.
To get to work, 75% of workers in Fort Bragg drive alone; in Mendocino County, 71%.
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in Fort Bragg?
A typical home costs more than the typical income allows
We start with a typical home in Fort Bragg, worth $535,400, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 91% of the typical household income in Fort Bragg, which is $56,481 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $183,809 a year.
The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Mendocino County.
Change the price, the down payment or the loan: the payment updates right away.
Your numbers
Local data
$
Starts at the typical home value in Fort Bragg. Change it to the price you have in mind.
Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.
Down payment
%
That is $18,739 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.
This week's average ± a quarter or half point.
National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.
Adjust advanced details⌄
Estimated monthly payment
Local data
$4,289
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$525,703
Total interest
$756,363
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $9,042 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $1,318 a month
Tight
$1,318 to $1,694 a month
Hard
more than $1,694 a month
Your payment · 91%
Compared with the typical household income in Fort Bragg ($56,481 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$3,561
Property tax
$268
Home insurance
$223
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$237
You need at least $18,739 for the down payment, plus closing costs.
This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.
Total monthly payment $4,289; principal and interest $3,561.
The city and its county
Fort Bragg and Mendocino County
Fort Bragg is in Mendocino County, California. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).
Fort Bragg
Map of Mendocino County, California, with Fort Bragg marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
Fort Bragg
Mendocino County
Other cities with a page
Fort Bragg's own numbers
Typical home value
$535,400
Typical monthly rent
$1,290
Typical yearly household income
$56,481
Households that own their home
46%
Effective property tax rate
0.6%
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).
Numbers for all of Mendocino County
FHA limit, one-unit home
$546,250
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,683
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+23%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
4.8%
HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.
Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of Mendocino County.
A typical home in Fort Bragg is worth $535,400: 5% above the county and 27% below California. With the typical household income in Fort Bragg ($56,481 a year), a typical home costs 9.5 times what the household earns in a year.
Years of income to pay for a typical home
The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.
Fort Bragg9.5 years
Mendocino7.5 years
California7.4 years
United States4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024
How prices have changed in Mendocino County
According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Mendocino County rose 59% in the 10 years through 2025.
FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Mendocino County.
Yearly change in FHFA’s price index in Mendocino County, 2016 to 2025
2016: +8.7% +8.7% 2016
2017: +6.9% +6.9% 2017
2018: +5.8% +5.8% 2018
2019: +1.8% +1.8% 2019
2020: +3.4% +3.4% 2020
2021: +12.0% +12.0% 2021
2022: +8.1% +8.1% 2022
2023: −3.3% −3.3% 2023
2024: +4.2% +4.2% 2024
2025: +0.7% +0.7% 2025
Change in FHFA’s price index in Mendocino County, California and the United States
Period
County
California
U.S.
Last year (2025)
+0.7%
+0.8%
+2.9%
5 years (2020–2025)
+23%
+40%
+47%
10 years (2015–2025)
+59%
+80%
+85%
The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data
Fort Bragg next to Mendocino County, California and the U.S.
Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.
Typical home value
Fort Bragg$535,400
Mendocino$512,200
California$734,700
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
Fort Bragg$1,290
Mendocino$1,317
California$2,036
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
Fort Bragg$56,481
Mendocino$68,092
California$99,122
United States$80,734
See the full table
Fort Bragg next to Mendocino County and California
Measure
Fort Bragg
Mendocino County
California
U.S.
Typical home value
$535,400 ▲5% above the county
$512,200
$734,700
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$1,290 ▼2% below the county
$1,317
$2,036
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$56,481 ▼17% below the county
$68,092
$99,122
$80,734
Households that own their home
46% ▼15 points below the county
62%
56%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$3,205 ▼10% below the county
$3,545
$5,124
$3,119
Effective property tax rate
0.6% ▼0.09 points below the county
0.69%
0.7%
0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income
61% ▲6 points above the county
55%
55%
51%
“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Mendocino County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Fort Bragg
For a typical $535,400 home in Fort Bragg, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Fort Bragg's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.
FHA, 3.5% down$4,289a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$18,739
Cash to close
$34,801
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $237
Conventional, 5% down$4,191a month
Down payment
$26,770
Cash to close
$42,832
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $254
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$3,392a month
Down payment
$107,080
Cash to close
$123,142
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$3,887a month
Down payment
$80,310
Cash to close
$96,372
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Fort Bragg
Loan
Monthly payment
Down payment
Loan amount
Rate
Mortgage insurance
Cash to close
Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down Least cash to close
$4,289
$18,739
$525,703
7.18%
FHA MIP · $237
$34,801
580
Conventional, 5% down
$4,191
$26,770
$508,630
7.18%
PMI · $254
$42,832
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$3,392
$107,080
$428,320
7.18%
None
$123,142
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$3,887
$80,310
$455,090
8.18%
None
$96,372
Set by the lender
The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.
Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.
Typical rent in Fort Bragg is $1,290 a month: 2% below the county. In Fort Bragg, 61% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Mendocino County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,683 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $32.37 an hour working full time.
What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.
HUD fair market rent in Mendocino County (Fiscal year 2027)
Size
Fair rent a month
Hourly wage
Yearly income
Studio
$1,209
$23.25
$48,360
1 bedroom
$1,287
$24.75
$51,480
2 bedrooms
$1,683
$32.37
$67,320
3 bedrooms
$2,330
$44.81
$93,200
4 bedrooms
$2,610
$50.19
$104,400
Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027
By ZIP code
Fair market rent by ZIP code in Fort Bragg
HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Fort Bragg is in ZIP code 95437.
For 2 bedrooms it is $1,720: $37 more than the fair market rent for Mendocino County ($1,683).
Fair market rent by ZIP code and size in Fort Bragg, fiscal year 2027.
ZIP code
Studio
1 bd
2 bd
3 bd
4 bd
95437
$1,240
$1,310
$1,720
$2,380
$2,670
ZIP code2 bd3 bd
95437 $1,720$2,380
1 of these ZIP codes crosses the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Fort Bragg when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD)Fiscal year 2027Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site)Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship fileData from 2020 dataCensus Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (external site)
HUD lists 4 buildings with rents for lower incomes in Fort Bragg. These are the largest.
River Gardens Apts421 South St, Fort Bragg 9543748 homes, 47 low-income · 1 bd: 16 · 2 bd: 30 · 3 bd: 2 · In service since 2003 · For families(707) 964-6811
Duncan Place Apts301 Cypress St, Fort Bragg 9543744 homes, 43 low-income · 1 bd: 43 · 2 bd: 1 · In service since 2006 · For older adults
Fort Bragg Development520 Cypress St, Fort Bragg 9543742 low-income homes · For older adults(707) 964-7715
Cottages at Cypress330 Cypress St, Fort Bragg 9543725 homes, 24 low-income · 1 bd: 18 · 2 bd: 7 · In service since 2014 · For older adults
You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.
We found no HUD-approved agencies with an office in Mendocino County. The nearest ones are below; many serve by phone or online.
No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Fort Bragg or Mendocino County. The ones below are statewide in California: they work in Fort Bragg the same as in the rest of the state.
CalHFA second loan with deferred payments for the down payment or closing costs of first-time buyers in California.Offered by California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA).
CalHFA down payment loan for first-generation buyers in California; when you sell, you repay the loan plus a share of the home's appreciation.Offered by California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA).
CalHFA second loan with deferred payments for the down payment or closing costs of first-time buyers who use the CalPLUS Access mortgage (FHA or conventional).Offered by California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA).
No legal help resource on our list is for Fort Bragg or Mendocino County in particular.
If you have a problem with your landlord, an eviction notice or a scam, the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) search shows the free legal aid offices that serve your area.
Short answers with the numbers for Fort Bragg and all of Mendocino County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.
How much does a typical home cost in Fort Bragg?
The typical home value in Fort Bragg is $535,400, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Mendocino County it is $512,200.
How much does it cost to rent in Fort Bragg?
Typical rent in Fort Bragg is $1,290 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Mendocino County is $1,683.
What is the FHA loan limit in Fort Bragg?
Fort Bragg uses the FHA limit for all of Mendocino County (2026): $546,250 for a one-unit home and $1,050,500 for a four-unit home.
How much property tax do owners pay in Fort Bragg?
The typical homeowner in Fort Bragg pays $3,205 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 0.6% of the home’s value; in Mendocino County, the rate is 0.69%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Fort Bragg?
We found no HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Mendocino County; the nearest ones are on this page. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.
