salaryRent is higher than in 66% of U.S. cities. Incomes are on the low side for rents this high, so budgets feel tight. A typical house costs about 43.5 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Commutes are short, about 15.6 minutes. Most households rent (99%), so there are plenty of rental options.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $77,800 a year. That is $37 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other California cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of California. It is number 206 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Isla Vista?
Share of households by yearly income. 4.1% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Isla Vista
| Size | Isla Vista | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,628 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,954 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,701 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,019 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,500+ | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Isla Vista overall?
Everyday prices in California overall are 11% above the U.S. average (index 110.7, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Isla Vista, so the California figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Isla Vista
Life in Isla Vista
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Isla Vista?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $6,512 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $1,218,800 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $121,880 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Isla Vista, CA?
Renting in Isla Vista costs a median of about $1,945 a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in Isla Vista?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $77,800 a year, or $37 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Isla Vista cheap or expensive?
Isla Vista is rated Expensive: rent takes 83.3% of the typical household income of $28,011. It ranks 206th cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Isla Vista?
The median homeowner in Isla Vista pays $7,500 a year in property taxes, about 0.62% of the median home value.
Is Isla Vista more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in California are 11% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Isla Vista?
The median home value in Isla Vista is $1,218,800, about 43.5 times the typical yearly household income.
13,920 people live in Isla Vista. Numbers are typical (middle) values.