# Average Rent in Santa Barbara, CA

> How much is rent in Santa Barbara, CA? $3,139 median across 12 units in 5 buildings, each with a daily price history and a citywide trend, tracked daily.

Canonical: https://average-rent.com/city/santa-barbara-ca/

Latest included observation: November 8, 2026

## What is the average rent in Santa Barbara, CA?

The average listed apartment rent in Santa Barbara, CA is $4,224 per month, as of November 8, 2026. This sample includes 12 priced apartments in 5 buildings. These are tracked asking prices, not signed leases.

We use published total monthly rent when known and base rent otherwise. Unknown fees remain unknown. Included building observations run from November 6, 2026 through November 8, 2026. Buildings without a qualifying price do not count in this sample. The guide directory can include more buildings.

5 apartment buildings, 12 units. Recorded asking prices and price history where available.

[Browse apartments in Santa Barbara, CA](https://average-rent.com/city/santa-barbara-ca/apartments/)

Avg Rent

$4,224/mo

median $3,139

[+90.2% vs last month](https://average-rent.com/city/santa-barbara-ca/trends/)

Cheapest

$2,500/mo

Olive Street Lofts

Properties

5

tracked daily

Units

12

available now

[View rent trends and price history](https://average-rent.com/city/santa-barbara-ca/trends/) [Explore Santa Barbara, CA on the interactive map](https://average-rent.com/search/#city=santa-barbara-ca)

[Santa Barbara, CA Resident Access](https://average-rent.com/city/santa-barbara-ca/resident-access/): City Club members share insider gate codes, parking links, and amenity tips. View

Analysis

## Rent Price Breakdown

Compare pricing across all 5 properties in Santa Barbara, CA.

Timeframe

## Average rent trend, last 3 months

All bedroom types, citywide. Choose a window above to scope the view.

$5,625

Average rent today

Line chart of average rent in Santa Barbara, CA over the last 3 months. Started at $3,291, ended at $5,625.

### Average rent trend, last 3 months

| Date or category | Average monthly rent (USD) |
| --- | --- |
| Aug | 3,291 |
| Aug | 3,259 |
| Aug | 3,263 |
| Aug | 3,205 |
| Sep | 3,210 |
| Sep | 3,194 |
| Sep | 3,366 |
| Sep | 3,376 |
| Oct | 3,346 |
| Oct | 4,802 |
| Oct | 5,106 |
| Oct | 3,480 |
| Oct | 5,854 |
| Nov | 5,625 |

[Full Santa Barbara, CA price history](https://average-rent.com/city/santa-barbara-ca/trends/)

### Average Rent by Property

### Starting Price vs Average

### Rent by Bedroom Count

### Price per Square Foot

## Santa Barbara, CA Rent Prices

All 5 properties ranked by lowest available rent.

[#1](https://average-rent.com/city/santa-barbara-ca/olive-street-lofts-santa-barbara-ca/): Olive Street Lofts 915 Olive St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, USA From $2,500/mo Avg $3,200 2 units

[#2 4.3 (61)](https://average-rent.com/city/santa-barbara-ca/hope-ranch-apartments-santa-barbara-ca/): Hope Ranch Apartments 3999 Via Lucero, Santa Barbara, CA 93110, USA From $2,867/mo Avg $2,971 5 units

[#3 2.7 (7)](https://average-rent.com/city/santa-barbara-ca/ivy-apartment-homes-santa-barbara-santa-barbara-ca/): Ivy Apartment Homes Santa Barbara 530 W Anapamu St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, USA From $2,900/mo as of Oct 27 Avg $4,217 9 units

[#4 2.7 (26)](https://average-rent.com/city/santa-barbara-ca/la-brezza-apartment-homes-santa-barbara-ca/): La Brezza Apartment Homes 620 W Gutierrez St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, USA From $3,000/mo as of Oct 22 Avg $3,000 1 units

[#5 4.5 (13)](https://average-rent.com/city/santa-barbara-ca/citywalk-santa-barbara-ca/): CityWalk 1412 San Pascual St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, USA From $3,200/mo Avg $3,200 1 units

[#6 4.9 (21)](https://average-rent.com/city/santa-barbara-ca/plaza-riviera-santa-barbara-ca/): Plaza Riviera 835 E Canon Perdido St, Santa Barbara, CA 93103, USA From $3,395/mo Avg $3,745 3 units

[#7 4.2 (12)](https://average-rent.com/city/santa-barbara-ca/villa-flores-apartments-santa-barbara-ca/): Villa Flores Apartments 601 E Anapamu St, Santa Barbara, CA 93103, USA From $15,000/mo Avg $15,000 1 units

| # | Property | From | Avg | $/sqft | Rating | Units |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | [Olive Street Lofts 915 Olive St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, USA](https://average-rent.com/city/santa-barbara-ca/olive-street-lofts-santa-barbara-ca/) | $2,500 | $3,200 | $3.06/ft² | -- | 2 |
| 2 | [Hope Ranch Apartments 3999 Via Lucero, Santa Barbara, CA 93110, USA](https://average-rent.com/city/santa-barbara-ca/hope-ranch-apartments-santa-barbara-ca/) | $2,867 | $2,971 | $4.98/ft² | 4.3 (61) | 5 |
| 3 | [Ivy Apartment Homes Santa Barbara 530 W Anapamu St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, USA](https://average-rent.com/city/santa-barbara-ca/ivy-apartment-homes-santa-barbara-santa-barbara-ca/) | $2,900 as of Oct 27 | $4,217 | $4.40/ft² | 2.7 (7) | 9 |
| 4 | [La Brezza Apartment Homes 620 W Gutierrez St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, USA](https://average-rent.com/city/santa-barbara-ca/la-brezza-apartment-homes-santa-barbara-ca/) | $3,000 as of Oct 22 | $3,000 | $4.62/ft² | 2.7 (26) | 1 |
| 5 | [CityWalk 1412 San Pascual St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, USA](https://average-rent.com/city/santa-barbara-ca/citywalk-santa-barbara-ca/) | $3,200 | $3,200 | $6.43/ft² | 4.5 (13) | 1 |
| 6 | [Plaza Riviera 835 E Canon Perdido St, Santa Barbara, CA 93103, USA](https://average-rent.com/city/santa-barbara-ca/plaza-riviera-santa-barbara-ca/) | $3,395 | $3,745 | $5.47/ft² | 4.9 (21) | 3 |
| 7 | [Villa Flores Apartments 601 E Anapamu St, Santa Barbara, CA 93103, USA](https://average-rent.com/city/santa-barbara-ca/villa-flores-apartments-santa-barbara-ca/) | $15,000 | $15,000 | -- | 4.2 (12) | 1 |

## Rent & Price History by Building

Compare apartment listings by price, bedrooms, and neighborhood.

[Browse all apartments](https://average-rent.com/city/santa-barbara-ca/apartments/)

[Olive Street Lofts](https://average-rent.com/city/santa-barbara-ca/olive-street-lofts-santa-barbara-ca/): ![Olive Street Lofts apartments in Santa Barbara, CA](https://average-rent.com/api/photo/p/14348?w=600) 915 Olive St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, USA From $2,500/mo 2 units

[Hope Ranch Apartments](https://average-rent.com/city/santa-barbara-ca/hope-ranch-apartments-santa-barbara-ca/): ![Hope Ranch Apartments apartments in Santa Barbara, CA](https://average-rent.com/api/photo/p/14142?w=600) 4.3 (61) 3999 Via Lucero, Santa Barbara, CA 93110, USA From $2,867/mo 5 units

[Ivy Apartment Homes Santa Barbara](https://average-rent.com/city/santa-barbara-ca/ivy-apartment-homes-santa-barbara-santa-barbara-ca/): ![Ivy Apartment Homes Santa Barbara apartments in Santa Barbara, CA](https://average-rent.com/api/photo/p/14351?w=600) 2.7 (7) 530 W Anapamu St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, USA From $2,900/mo prices as of Oct 27 9 units

[La Brezza Apartment Homes](https://average-rent.com/city/santa-barbara-ca/la-brezza-apartment-homes-santa-barbara-ca/): ![La Brezza Apartment Homes apartments in Santa Barbara, CA](https://average-rent.com/api/photo/p/14346?w=600) 2.7 (26) 620 W Gutierrez St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, USA From $3,000/mo prices as of Oct 22 1 units

[CityWalk](https://average-rent.com/city/santa-barbara-ca/citywalk-santa-barbara-ca/): ![CityWalk apartments in Santa Barbara, CA](https://average-rent.com/api/photo/p/14138?w=600) 4.5 (13) 1412 San Pascual St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, USA From $3,200/mo 1 units

[Plaza Riviera](https://average-rent.com/city/santa-barbara-ca/plaza-riviera-santa-barbara-ca/): ![Plaza Riviera apartments in Santa Barbara, CA](https://average-rent.com/api/photo/places/ChIJJ9O1BMgT6YARVW8yBf5iiv4/photos/AaVGc3lluolkptn18ikvoY2rTmVgCT3hH-ouQb59IbqoGREOVKxR6MnDJoUN1c3YJIbfQSozEYYiatEqPP93VFFFLIYae1OlkoyKFQU6Ro1lxMlu84CQcFM6RdbR-qVOFvj_TVmRUU3jFsUEbc4AGZy9xp0AMwgHvWgQNBgLKzu5TwTIfOgfTv6DbgXmdmrQngf5NJ8ATUcxj6DwmUW4_7Qu5eF8kVPiVOfmWkvNkkwi5wtNlsVkkLQckQ1xKMaZFcV7gNuy1Q9bHTl29VHJPzto4Ct2TG69NTHzisXziH3ag2T3r2-0eiQ8-W1jfSIajfEgrdOFJsZVQwP3JS0W_j3cI-npm0-FFej6GjVNIkldk94j7juHy8aSQrBTzqchZckKBswuJOCOzH6-47_qMsdf8xF1nak_-UP4RkSG0K88mh4Tha8r?w=600) 4.9 (21) 835 E Canon Perdido St, Santa Barbara, CA 93103, USA From $3,395/mo 3 units

[Browse all Santa Barbara, CA apartments](https://average-rent.com/city/santa-barbara-ca/apartments/)

By Area

## Santa Barbara, CA neighborhoods

Tracked buildings across 3 named neighborhoods. Pick one to see its apartments.

[Westside 8](https://average-rent.com/city/santa-barbara-ca/apartments/?neighborhood=Westside)[Santa Barbara 93105 2](https://average-rent.com/city/santa-barbara-ca/apartments/?neighborhood=Santa%20Barbara%2093105)[Hope 1](https://average-rent.com/city/santa-barbara-ca/apartments/?neighborhood=Hope)

## Santa Barbara, CA Average Rent Prices 2026

The average listed rent in Santa Barbara, CA is **$4,224 per month**, based on 12 units across 5 apartment communities. Prices range from $2,500 at Olive Street Lofts to $15,000 at Villa Flores Apartments.

### Average Rent by Bedroom Type

| Type | Avg Rent | Starting From | Units |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Studio | $3,335/mo | $2,500/mo | 4 |
| 1 Bed | $3,009/mo | $2,867/mo | 6 |
| 2 Bed | $4,295/mo | $4,295/mo | 1 |

We schedule daily price checks. The included observations can have different dates. Request an area we do not cover so we can review it for coverage.

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Preview

Market Context

## Who rents in Santa Barbara, CA, and what they pay

Tracked one-bedroom rent in Santa Barbara, CA averages **$3,009/mo** , with two-bedroom units averaging **$4,295/mo**. At the local median household income of **$101,672**, that works out to **50% of gross income**, a severely rent-burdened market by HUD standards.

The U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey 2023 release pegged median gross rent in Santa Barbara, CA at **$2,302/mo**. The [current tracked market average](https://average-rent.com/city/santa-barbara-ca/trends/) runs **83% higher than** that benchmark, reflecting both two to three years of rent growth and the fact that the Census figure covers all renter-occupied housing in Santa Barbara, CA while the tracked market average covers units currently listed in larger apartment communities.

## What salary do I need to live comfortably in Santa Barbara, CA?

Built on the 25 to 30 percent rent-to-income guideline used by most landlords and credit-scoring models.

Minimum to afford average rent

$169,000/year

Based on the 30 percent rule, using our tracked average rent of $4,224/mo.

Comfortable income

$203,000/year

Based on the 25 percent rule, leaving more room for savings, transport, and groceries.

To afford the cheapest tracked apartment ($2,500/mo), you need to earn at least **$100,000/year**.

Median household income in Santa Barbara, CA is **$101,672** , about 50% below the comfortable-living threshold.

## Cost of living in Santa Barbara, CA

Overall prices in Santa Barbara, CA runs above the national average by about 14% (BEA Regional Price Parity index 113.7, where 100 equals the U.S. average). The breakdown below estimates monthly costs for a single adult, using national consumer-spending baselines from the Bureau of Labor Statistics scaled by Santa Barbara, CA's regional price parities.

| Category | Monthly estimate |
| --- | --- |
| Rent (market average) | $4,224 |
| Utilities | $754 |
| Groceries | $567 |
| Transportation | $1,798 |
| Healthcare | $877 |
| Other goods and services | $1,403 |
| Estimated total | $9,623/mo |

Population

88,024

Median household income

$101,672

Census median rent

$2,302/mo

Census rent burden

32.9%

Median age

39.4

Mean commute

17 min

## Methodology

Rent data

We use listed asking rents and schedule daily data updates. Individual buildings can have different verification dates. Check the building or unit page for its latest price and availability.

Cost of living

Estimates combine national consumer-spending baselines from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (Consumer Expenditure Survey) with the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities (MARPP dataset). Both are peer-reviewed federal data releases published annually.

Salary to live comfortably

We estimate annual income by dividing annual rent by 30 percent for the affordability figure and 25 percent for the comfortable-income figure. These estimates are a guide, not a guarantee of rental approval.

Demographic figures

Median household income, population, median age, commute time, Census median rent, and rent as percentage of income come from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey 5-year estimates, the most recent complete release.

Cost of living and demographic figures were last published in 2023.

Compare

## Nearby cities in California

How Santa Barbara, CA rent compares to other markets in the state.

| City | Avg Rent | vs Santa Barbara, CA | 30-Day Change | Properties |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Los Angeles, CA](https://average-rent.com/city/los-angeles-ca/) | $3,104 | -27% | -5% | 50 |
| [San Diego, CA](https://average-rent.com/city/san-diego-ca/) | $3,370 | -20% | -5.5% | 36 |
| [Anaheim, CA](https://average-rent.com/city/anaheim-ca/) | $2,881 | -32% | +1.8% | 34 |
| [EL Cajon, CA](https://average-rent.com/city/el-cajon-ca/) | $2,261 | -46% | -8.8% | 33 |
| [Hayward, CA](https://average-rent.com/city/hayward-ca/) | $2,730 | -35% | -5.6% | 32 |
| [San Francisco, CA](https://average-rent.com/city/san-francisco-ca/) | $5,205 | +23% | +7.5% | 32 |

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the average rent in Santa Barbara, CA?

The average listed apartment rent in Santa Barbara, CA is $4,224 per month, as of November 8, 2026. This sample includes 12 priced apartments in 5 buildings. These are tracked asking prices, not signed leases.

### What is the median rent in Santa Barbara, CA?

The median asking rent in Santa Barbara, CA is $3,139 per month, computed from 12 priced listings; check the observation dates shown on this page. The average is $4,224/mo; the median resists skew from luxury listings.

### What is the cheapest apartment rent in Santa Barbara, CA?

The lowest available rent in Santa Barbara, CA starts at $2,500 per month. Confirm current availability, fees, and lease terms with the selected listing.

### How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Santa Barbara, CA?

1-bedroom apartments in Santa Barbara, CA average $3,009/mo. The lowest listed 1-bedroom starts at $2,867/mo across 6 units tracked.

### How much is a 2-bedroom apartment in Santa Barbara, CA?

2-bedroom apartments in Santa Barbara, CA average $4,295/mo. Units start from $4,295/mo across 1 units currently listed.

## Rent Trends in Santa Barbara, CA

Track how apartment prices are changing over time.

[View Rent Trends](https://average-rent.com/city/santa-barbara-ca/trends/)

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