salaryRent is lower than in 68% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 6.1 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Commutes are short, about 14.3 minutes. Most households rent (85%), so there are plenty of rental options. It is a highly educated city: 80.6% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $52,840 a year. That is $25 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 51 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in University of California-Santa Barbara?
Share of households by yearly income. 25.1% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in University of California-Santa Barbara
| Size | University of California-Santa Barbara | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $1,207 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,737 | $1,509 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is University of California-Santa Barbara 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 University of California-Santa Barbara, so the California figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in University of California-Santa Barbara
Life in University of California-Santa Barbara
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in University of California-Santa Barbara?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,821 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $452,900 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $45,290 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in University of California-Santa Barbara, CA?
Renting in University of California-Santa Barbara costs a median of about $1,321 a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in University of California-Santa Barbara?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $52,840 a year, or $25 an hour at a full-time job.
Is University of California-Santa Barbara cheap or expensive?
University of California-Santa Barbara is rated OK: rent takes 21.2% of the typical household income of $74,769. It ranks 51st cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in University of California-Santa Barbara?
The median homeowner in University of California-Santa Barbara pays $5,560 a year in property taxes, about 1.23% of the median home value.
Is University of California-Santa Barbara 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 University of California-Santa Barbara?
The median home value in University of California-Santa Barbara is $452,900, about 6.1 times the typical yearly household income.
12,121 people live in University of California-Santa Barbara. Numbers are typical (middle) values.