Living in Isla Vista, California
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Isla Vista · Census data 2020–2024
Isla Vista has 13,920 residents with a median age of 21.2. The median household income is $25,972 (74% lower than the California median), the median home value is $1,218,800, the median rent is $1,878/month.
Isla Vista at a glance
- Population
- 13,920
- Median age
- 21.2State: 37.9
- Median household income
- $25,972State: $99,122
- Median home value
- $1,218,800State: $734,700
- Median rent
- $1,878/moState: $2,036
- Homeowners
- 1.2%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 43.7%
- Average commute
- 16 min
Is Isla Vista a good place to live?
Pros: An average commute of 16 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 74% lower than the California median; home values 66% higher than the state median; unemployment of 17.4%; a poverty rate of 70.4%.
The weather is best in July to October.
Cost of living in Isla Vista
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Isla Vista the median home value is $1,218,800, 266% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,878 per month, which is 51% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $3,302 a month in housing costs.
Isla Vista median household income
The median household income in Isla Vista is $25,972 and the income per person is $14,110. 70.4% of residents live below the poverty line (California: 12%).
Housing in Isla Vista: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 5,323
- Owner-occupied
- 1.2%
- Renter-occupied
- 98.8%
- Vacant
- 10.5%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1975
- Average household size
- 2.52
Isla Vista demographics
- Population
- 13,920
- Median age
- 21.2
- Under 18
- 1.8%
- 65 and older
- 2.3%
- Households
- 4,763
- Foreign-born
- 10.2%
- Veterans
- 0.4%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Isla Vista ›
Education in Isla Vista
43.7% of adults 25 and older in Isla Vista have a bachelor's degree or higher (California: 37.1%), and 22.4% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Isla Vista
- Unemployment rate
- 17.4%State: 6.6%
- Average commute
- 16 minState: 29 min
- Work from home
- 9.4%
- Drive alone
- 50%
- Public transit
- 2.8%
- Walk to work
- 19.3%
- Homes with broadband
- 88.7%
Isla Vista vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Isla Vista | 13,920 | $25,972 | $1,218,800 | $1,878 |
| University of California-Santa Barbara | 12,121 | $69,327 | $452,900 | $1,526 |
| Goleta | 32,685 | $122,370 | $1,062,100 | $2,437 |
| Eastern Goleta Valley | 28,295 | $146,284 | $1,361,700 | $2,964 |
| Santa Barbara | 87,779 | $106,182 | $1,570,800 | $2,413 |
| Mission Canyon | 2,357 | $208,466 | $2,000,001 | $3,501 |
| 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 Isla Vista
Isla Vista ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Isla Vista: FAQ
What is the median household income in Isla Vista, CA?
The median household income in Isla Vista is $25,972, 74% lower 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 Isla Vista?
The median home value in Isla Vista is $1,218,800, compared with $734,700 in California.
How much is rent in Isla Vista?
The median gross rent in Isla Vista is $1,878 per month, about 51% of household income.
Is Isla Vista, CA a good place to live?
Pluses: an average commute of 16 minutes. Minuses: median household income 74% lower than the California median; home values 66% higher than the state median; unemployment of 17.4%; a poverty rate of 70.4%.
What is the median age in Isla Vista?
The median age in Isla Vista is 21.2 years (California: 37.9).
How long is the commute in Isla Vista?
The average commute to work in Isla Vista is 16 minutes; 9.4% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Isla Vista?
The unemployment rate in Isla Vista is 17.4% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Isla Vista?
43.7% of adults in Isla Vista 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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