Prices and availability in Santa Barbara, CA were last updated on 11 Sep 2026.
The best apartments in Santa Barbara, CA are: The Marc, La Brezza, The Messina, Rancho Franciscan Senior Apartments and Coronel Place Apartments.
In Santa Barbara, 60% of the residents are renting compared to 40% owning a home, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Large-scale apartment buildings with more than 50 units represent 6% of Santa Barbara's rentals, 70% are small-scale complexes with under 50 units, and 23% are single-family rentals.
Balancing snug and cheap is no joke when it comes to renting a place to live. “Are there any apartments near me under $2,000?” is a great question to start from. Knowing your budget means you’re one step ahead and on the right track. We’ve taken care of the rest and found 3 apartments for rent in Santa Barbara, CA on which you’ll spend less than $2,000. A small, cheap rental means you’ll have to budget your living space as well. The great news is that keeping it simple pays off in more than one way. The cost of utilities is likely to run low, and you get the added benefit of not having to spend too much time cleaning up the whole place. Smaller apartments are more likely to be closer to the city center, so there are potential cuts to your transportation costs too. And here’s one more very special secret to add to your book-of-perks: you’re less likely to overshop when you know your space is limited.
Our goal is to help you find cheap apartments that live up to your dreams without crushing your budget. It may be a long shot to go looking for 3 bedroom apartments or even 2 bedroom for less than $2,000. The average rental size in Santa Barbara, CA is 708 Sqft, but the $2,000 limit will probably narrow your search to places with a smaller square footage. Go through our listings and be on the look-out for a hassle-free studio or a 1 bedroom apartment. We trust you’ll turn it into a cozy home which is also budget-friendly to the core.
