Featured Rentals
Special Interest
Housing in Santa Barbara County
Both Census and HUD figures represent gross rent — contract rent plus estimated utility costs for electricity, heat, water, and sewer.
Rent in Santa Barbara County averages $2,131/month for a 2‑bedroom in 2024, compared to the California median of $2,036 and the national median of $1,413. Local renters spend approximately 36% of household income on rent, above the national average of 32%.
HUD 2026 50th Percentile Rent Estimates for Santa Barbara County FMR Area are $2,752 for a studio, $3,073 for 1‑bedroom, $3,496 for 2‑bedroom, $4,560 for 3‑bedroom, and $5,200 for 4‑bedroom.
HUD 2026 Rent Estimates reflect market movement since 2024 Census data — a $1365 increase for a 2-bedroom in Santa Barbara County shows a 64% rise over that period.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics annual unemployment rate for Santa Barbara County was 4.5% in 2024, compared to California at 5.3% and the national rate of 4.0%.
