Living in Goleta, California
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Goleta · Census data 2020–2024
Goleta has 32,685 residents with a median age of 36.9. The median household income is $122,370 (23% higher than the California median), the median home value is $1,062,100, the median rent is $2,437/month.
Goleta at a glance
- Population
- 32,685
- Median age
- 36.9State: 37.9
- Median household income
- $122,370State: $99,122
- Median home value
- $1,062,100State: $734,700
- Median rent
- $2,437/moState: $2,036
- Homeowners
- 50.7%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 49.4%
- Average commute
- 18 min
Is Goleta a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income 23% higher than the California median; an average commute of 18 minutes; unemployment of 4.2%; a poverty rate of 9.3%.
Cons: Home values 45% higher than the state median.
The weather is best in July to October.
Cost of living in Goleta
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Goleta the median home value is $1,062,100, 219% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $2,437 per month, which is 29.6% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $3,637 a month in housing costs.
Goleta median household income
The median household income in Goleta is $122,370 and the income per person is $56,285. 9.3% of residents live below the poverty line (California: 12%).
Housing in Goleta: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 12,939
- Owner-occupied
- 50.7%
- Renter-occupied
- 49.3%
- Vacant
- 4.6%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1973
- Average household size
- 2.63
Goleta demographics
- Population
- 32,685
- Median age
- 36.9
- Under 18
- 18.9%
- 65 and older
- 16.2%
- Households
- 12,348
- Foreign-born
- 23%
- Veterans
- 3%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Goleta ›
Education in Goleta
49.4% of adults 25 and older in Goleta have a bachelor's degree or higher (California: 37.1%), and 21.4% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Goleta
- Unemployment rate
- 4.2%State: 6.6%
- Average commute
- 18 minState: 29 min
- Work from home
- 18.4%
- Drive alone
- 61.4%
- Public transit
- 2.8%
- Walk to work
- 2.5%
- Homes with broadband
- 94.4%
Goleta vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goleta | 32,685 | $122,370 | $1,062,100 | $2,437 |
| University of California-Santa Barbara | 12,121 | $69,327 | $452,900 | $1,526 |
| Isla Vista | 13,920 | $25,972 | $1,218,800 | $1,878 |
| Eastern Goleta Valley | 28,295 | $146,284 | $1,361,700 | $2,964 |
| Mission Canyon | 2,357 | $208,466 | $2,000,001 | $3,501 |
| Santa Barbara | 87,779 | $106,182 | $1,570,800 | $2,413 |
| Montecito | 9,031 | $231,005 | $2,000,001 | $3,501 |
| Summerland | 1,348 | $95,694 | $2,000,001 | — |
| Toro Canyon | 1,477 | $140,743 | $2,000,001 | $2,179 |
More for people moving to Goleta
Goleta ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Goleta: FAQ
What is the median household income in Goleta, CA?
The median household income in Goleta is $122,370, 23% higher than the California median of $99,122 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Goleta?
The median home value in Goleta is $1,062,100, compared with $734,700 in California.
How much is rent in Goleta?
The median gross rent in Goleta is $2,437 per month, about 29.6% of household income.
Is Goleta, CA a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income 23% higher than the California median; an average commute of 18 minutes; unemployment of 4.2%; a poverty rate of 9.3%. Minuses: home values 45% higher than the state median.
What is the median age in Goleta?
The median age in Goleta is 36.9 years (California: 37.9).
How long is the commute in Goleta?
The average commute to work in Goleta is 18 minutes; 18.4% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Goleta?
The unemployment rate in Goleta is 4.2% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Goleta?
49.4% of adults in Goleta have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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