95521 vs 95542 — Compare ZIP Codes
Side-by-side comparison. Blue = ZIP 95521, Orange = ZIP 95542.
Quick verdict: ZIP 95521 is wealthier, higher home values, more affordable rent, lower poverty rate, more diverse, more educated. ZIP 95542 is lower unemployment, higher work-from-home share.
Quick Facts
ZIP 95521
Arcata city, CA
View full profile →- Population21,684
- Median Income$54,324
- Median Home Value$479k
- Median Rent$1,154
- Median Age29.2 yrs
- Poverty Rate26.7%
ZIP 95542
Benbow CDP, CA
View full profile →- Population2,831
- Median Income$45,049
- Median Home Value$414k
- Median Rent$1,221
- Median Age47.6 yrs
- Poverty Rate27.9%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Population
21,6842,831
Median Income
$54,324$45,049
Median Home Value
$479k$414k
Median Rent
$1,154$1,221
Median Age
29.2 yrs47.6 yrs
Poverty Rate
26.7%27.9%
Demographics
ZIP 95521
Arcata city, CA
View full profile →- White %74.8%
- Black %2.1%
- Asian %2.3%
- Hispanic %14.9%
- Age 0–17 %13.9%
- Age 18–64 %72.0%
- Age 65+ %14.1%
- Bachelor's+ %45.0%
- Diversity Index41/100
ZIP 95542
Benbow CDP, CA
View full profile →- White %84.8%
- Black %0.0%
- Asian %0.3%
- Hispanic %9.4%
- Age 0–17 %16.7%
- Age 18–64 %58.0%
- Age 65+ %25.3%
- Bachelor's+ %20.6%
- Diversity Index27/100
Visual comparison (same scale)
White %
74.8%84.8%
Black %
2.1%0.0%
Asian %
2.3%0.3%
Hispanic %
14.9%9.4%
Age 0–17 %
13.9%16.7%
Age 18–64 %
72.0%58.0%
Age 65+ %
14.1%25.3%
Bachelor's+ %
45.0%20.6%
Diversity Index
41/10027/100
Economy
ZIP 95521
Arcata city, CA
View full profile →- Median Income$54,324
- Unemployment %12.2%
- IRS Net Migration+1,067
- Work From Home %12.7%
ZIP 95542
Benbow CDP, CA
View full profile →- Median Income$45,049
- Unemployment %3.3%
- IRS Net Migration+139
- Work From Home %14.8%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Median Income
$54,324$45,049
Unemployment %
12.2%3.3%
IRS Net Migration
+1,067+139
Work From Home %
12.7%14.8%
Housing
ZIP 95521
Arcata city, CA
View full profile →- Median Home Value$479k
- Median Rent$1,154
- Owner Occupied %36.7%
- Broadband %92.7%
- Vacant %9.6%
- Median Year Built1975
ZIP 95542
Benbow CDP, CA
View full profile →- Median Home Value$414k
- Median Rent$1,221
- Owner Occupied %58.3%
- Broadband %88.6%
- Vacant %14.1%
- Median Year Built1977
Visual comparison (same scale)
Median Home Value
$479k$414k
Median Rent
$1,154$1,221
Owner Occupied %
36.7%58.3%
Broadband %
92.7%88.6%
Vacant %
9.6%14.1%
Median Year Built
19751977
Climate & Location
ZIP 95521
Arcata city, CA
View full profile →- Snow Days/Year0 days
- Elevation (ft)20 ft
- Nearest Airport4.3 miles (7.0 km)
- Distance to Coast1.2 miles (1.9 km)
ZIP 95542
Benbow CDP, CA
View full profile →- Snow Days/Year0 days
- Elevation (ft)503 ft
- Nearest Airport52.9 miles (85.1 km)
- Distance to Coast14.3 miles (23.0 km)
Visual comparison (same scale)
Snow Days/Year
0 days0 days
Elevation (ft)
20 ft503 ft
Nearest Airport
4.3 miles (7.0 km)52.9 miles (85.1 km)
Distance to Coast
1.2 miles (1.9 km)14.3 miles (23.0 km)
Infrastructure
ZIP 95521
Arcata city, CA
View full profile →- Work From Home %12.7%
- Walkability (0–100)41
- Broadband %92.7%
ZIP 95542
Benbow CDP, CA
View full profile →- Work From Home %14.8%
- Walkability (0–100)29
- Broadband %88.6%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Work From Home %
12.7%14.8%
Walkability (0–100)
4129
Broadband %
92.7%88.6%
Frequently Asked Questions
How do ZIP 95521 and 95542 compare?
ZIP 95521 is wealthier, higher home values, more affordable rent, lower poverty rate, more diverse, more educated. ZIP 95542 is lower unemployment, higher work-from-home share.
What do the blue and orange colors mean?
Blue represents the first ZIP (95521), orange the second (95542). The same colors are used in the map markers and comparison bars.
Where does this data come from?
Data is from the U.S. Census Bureau and other federal sources. See our Methodology page for details.
How can I compare other ZIP codes?
From any ZIP page, use the "Compare with Another ZIP" tool, or go to /compare/XXXXX-vs-YYYYY (replace with two 5-digit ZIP codes).
Continue exploring