100 Best Apartments in Santa Barbara, CA (with reviews)

Popular searches Average rent Renters guide Demographics

Rent prices in cities near Santa Barbara, CA

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Rent prices in Santa Barbara, CA's popular neighborhoods

Apartments in Hitchcock $2,152
Apartments in Laguna $2,241
Apartments in Lower Riviera $2,305
Apartments in Lower State $2,198
Apartments in Lower West Santa Barbara $2,198
Apartments in Milpas $2,305
Apartments in North State $2,364
Apartments in West Downtown Santa Barbara $2,198
Apartments in West Side Santa Barbara $2,169

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Most Searched Apartments in California

Average rent in Santa Barbara, CA

$2,550/mo Santa Barbara, CA average rental price, July 2022

The average monthly rent of apartments in Santa Barbara, CA is $2,550.

Santa Barbara, CA apartment rent ranges

Santa Barbara, CA rent trends

Check out the average rent prices in Santa Barbara by neighborhood.

Compared to the national average rent of $1,706, the average rent in Santa Barbara, CA is $2,550.

Getting around in Santa Barbara, CA

88 /100

Very Walkable

47 /100

Some Transit

83 /100

Very Bikeable

Walk Score®: 88, Transit Score®: 47, Bike Score®: 83

Frequently asked questions

When were prices and availability in Santa Barbara, CA last updated?

Prices and availability in Santa Barbara, CA were last updated on 27 Nov 2022.

What are the best apartments in Santa Barbara, CA?

The best apartments in Santa Barbara, CA are: Rancho Franciscan Senior Apartments, Plaza Riviera, The Marc, La Brezza and ROOMMATE APPLICATION ONLY.

What is the average rent in Santa Barbara, CA?

The average rent in Santa Barbara, CA is $2,550. Start your search for apartments in Santa Barbara, CA now.

What is the price range for a studio apartment in Santa Barbara, CA?

The price range for a studio apartment in Santa Barbara, CA is between $2,025 and $3,216. View all studio apartments in Santa Barbara, CA.

What is the price range for a 2-bedroom apartment in Santa Barbara, CA?

The price range for a 2-bedroom apartment in Santa Barbara, CA is between $4,281 and $5,037. Browse and find a 2-bedroom apartment in Santa Barbara, CA.

What type of rental buildings are in Santa Barbara, CA?

In Santa Barbara, 59% of the residents are renting compared to 41% owning a home, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Large-scale apartment buildings with more than 50 units represent 8% of Santa Barbara’s rentals, 70% are small-scale complexes with under 50 units, and 21% are single-family rentals.

What do typical apartment communities look like in Santa Barbara, CA?

The average age of rental buildings in Santa Barbara is 48 years old, with 17% being newer apartment buildings completed since 2000. The average height of apartment buildings in the city is 3 stories, of which all are garden-style apartment communities, none are mid-sized buildings, and none are high-rises. These characteristics describe large-scale apartment communities of 50 apartments or more.

What apartment floorplans are common in Santa Barbara, CA?

Studio apartments in Santa Barbara are around 15% of rentals, while 1-bedroom floor plans represent 54% of the total stock. For those in search of larger rentals, 2-bedroom floorplans make up 29% of all rentals. More generous apartments with 3 bedrooms or more are also available in this city for those in search of more space.

Living in Santa Barbara, CA

Santa Barbara is a beautiful beach town on the central coast of California. Although Santa Barbara is just 100 miles away from Los Angeles, it feels like a completely different world. It is a very popular tourist destination due to its pristine beaches, historic Spanish Revival buildings, and vibrant restaurant scene. Santa Barbara is home to many universities, most notably the University of California, Santa Barbara (UC Santa Barbara), and there is a very large student population here. Santa Barbara also has an excellent public school system, making it a very attractive renting spot for families with children. This small-sized city is also very popular among outdoor enthusiasts. There are several excellent surf spots in Santa Barbara, as well as a large network of hiking trails in the nearby Santa Ynez Mountains. The weather in Santa Barbara is consistently beautiful, with average temperatures ranging between 50°F and 70°F year-round.

Renting in Santa Barbara, CA

There are plenty of rental communities to choose from in Santa Barbara, ranging from student housing and mid-rise apartment buildings to single-family houses. Many of the rental properties in Santa Barbara were built in the Spanish Revival architecture style that’s famous in this area. Downtown Santa Barbara contains more compact apartments, while most homes in neighborhoods near the beach such as East Mesa are more spacious and also have yards. If you’re looking to rent a place in Santa Barbara, it’s important to know that rents here are significantly higher than in nearby cities, including Los Angeles. Because the cost of living in Santa Barbara is very high, most residents opt to rent their homes rather than buy them. In order to secure a rental apartment or home, you’ll most likely need to prove that you have a monthly income of at least three times the rent.

Santa Barbara, CA demographics

90,911Total Population
45,626 Female

45,285 Male
38.9Median Age

Santa Barbara, CA has a population of 90,911 according to the most recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau. 45,626 of Santa Barbara’s residents are women and 45,285 are men. The median age of those who live in Santa Barbara, CA is 38.9.

Shopping in Santa Barbara, CA

Most of the shopping in Santa Barbara is concentrated in the downtown area along State Street, which is the city’s main commercial hub. The Paseo Nuevo is an open-air mall with chain stores, local boutiques, movie theaters and restaurants. Outside of downtown, La Cumbre Plaza is home to many upscale retailers as well as a Target and several restaurants. Various grocery stores conveniently located throughout Santa Barbara. The most popular grocery among Santa Barbara renters include Ralph’s, Vons, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, Sprouts and Gelson’s.

Santa Barbara, CA households

20,380 Family

17,426 Non-family
8,578 Children

29,228 No Children

37,806Total Number of Households
2.37Average People Per Household
$81,618Median Household Income

According to U.S. Census data, there are 37,806 households in Santa Barbara, CA. 20,380 are family households and 17,426 are non-family households. There are 8,578 households with children in Santa Barbara and 29,228 households without children. On average, about 2.37 people live in a household in Santa Barbara, CA.

Transportation in Santa Barbara, CA

Downtown Santa Barbara is very walkable, but many of the quieter residential neighborhoods nearby are much more spread out. As a result, most renters opt to have a car in Santa Barbara. The city also has a very extensive network of bike trails, so it’s a great place to live for active people. For renters who prefer public transit, Santa Barbara is served by the Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District that runs a network of buses throughout the city. This includes frequent shuttles along State Street that cater to tourists. There are also many regional bus companies that offer service to nearby towns and to Los Angeles International Airport, which is located some 97 miles away. Additionally, Amtrak has a station in Santa Barbara. The Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train connects Santa Barbara with San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles, San Diego and many other neighboring areas. For renters who prefer more convenient transportation methods, ridesharing services such as Uber and Lyft are also available in Santa Barbara.

Santa Barbara, CA education statistics

The level of education of the population of Santa Barbara, CA is as follows: 6% have no high school education, 18% completed some high school, 22% partially completed college, 8% have an Associate Degree, 29% have a Bachelor Degree, and 17% have a Graduate Degree.

Look for apartments near me

Are you looking to land that one apartment near you that ticks all the boxes? Now you can browse through available RentCafe apartment listings in your area, rated and reviewed by verified residents. Comparing the size, price, amenities and location of apartments for rent near you is easier than ever. Do you feel like expanding the search beyond your neighborhood and ZIP code? Browse apartments for rent in your city and state to find the best fit, wherever you are in the U.S. Somewhere out there is the perfect apartment just waiting for you.

Whether you're looking for a studio, an apartment with one or more bedrooms, or maybe you're upgrading to a luxury apartment or need to acommodate a pet, RentCafe allows you to easily search for a rental near you based on your criteria, anywhere in the U.S. So, let's find your new home today!

RentCafe is your one-stop shop for finding a great new apartment in Santa Barbara, CA. Easily search through a wide selection of apartments for rent in Santa Barbara, CA, and view detailed information about available rentals including floor plans, pricing, photos, amenities, interactive maps, and thorough property descriptions. Property owners and managers are one click away, so feel free to contact them and find out all you need to know about the apartment you’re interested in. Browse Santa Barbara, CA apartments with rents starting from $1,850 and submit your rental application today!

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Apartments for Rent in Santa Barbara, CA 183 Rentals Available

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