Cost of Living in Santa Barbara County, CA
Population 443,701 · Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates
The median rent in Santa Barbara County, CA is $2,131/month, 5% higher than the California median and 51% higher than the U.S. median. The median home value is $790,700, 138% higher than the national median. Households earn a median of $98,161 a year, about the same as the state median.
Affordability
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Santa Barbara County vs. California vs. U.S.
| Santa Barbara County | California | U.S. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median rent | $2,131 | $2,036 | $1,413 |
| Median home value | $790,700 | $734,700 | $332,700 |
| Median household income | $98,161 | $99,122 | $80,734 |
| Homeownership rate | 52.4% | 55.9% | 65.2% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36.8% | 37.1% | 35.7% |
| Poverty rate | 14.7% | 12.0% | 12.5% |
| Unemployment rate | 6.4% | 6.6% | 5.2% |
| Work from home | 13.4% | 17.2% | 15.1% |
| Median age | 34.6 | 37.9 | 38.9 |
FAQ
What is the average rent in Santa Barbara County, CA?
The median gross rent in Santa Barbara County, CA is $2,131 per month (ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimate).
How much do I need to earn to live in Santa Barbara County, CA?
Using the common 30% rule, renting a median-priced home takes about $85,240 a year in gross income.
Is Santa Barbara County, CA expensive to live in?
Rent there is 51% higher than the U.S. median, and the median home costs about 8.1 times the median household income.
Other counties in California
Counties with a similar cost of living
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates. Estimates have margins of error, especially for smaller places. This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.
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