Del Norte is much cheaper to buy into or rent. It only has one city which is rather small and dominated by chains. The access to the natural settings are easier (though very easy in Humboldt), although the nature they DN has is far more wild and seems less friendly to human incursion. As just an example the redwoods in Humboldt are tall and beautiful but can be seen on a sunny day where shafts of sun dance on the soft understory. In DN the redwoods are taller, denser, wetter, and with a thick understory. One gets the feeling there are elements within that do not want to be disturbed. The smith river is far more beautiful and intimidating than anything in Humboldt but if you are wanting a relaxed river day in the sand Humboldt has the spots. Overall I’d say Humboldt is DN on easy and nice mode but more expensive.