Living in Santa Barbara, California
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Santa Barbara · Census data 2020–2024
Santa Barbara has 87,779 residents with a median age of 39.7. The median household income is $106,182 (7% higher than the California median), the median home value is $1,570,800, the median rent is $2,413/month.
Santa Barbara at a glance
- Population
- 87,779
- Median age
- 39.7State: 37.9
- Median household income
- $106,182State: $99,122
- Median home value
- $1,570,800State: $734,700
- Median rent
- $2,413/moState: $2,036
- Homeowners
- 39.9%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 51.9%
- Average commute
- 17 min
Is Santa Barbara a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income 7% higher than the California median; an average commute of 17 minutes; unemployment of 5.8%.
Cons: Home values 114% higher than the state median; a poverty rate of 14%.
The weather is best in July to October.
Cost of living in Santa Barbara
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Santa Barbara the median home value is $1,570,800, 372% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $2,413 per month, which is 33.4% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $3,841 a month in housing costs.
Santa Barbara median household income
The median household income in Santa Barbara is $106,182 and the income per person is $65,452. 14% of residents live below the poverty line (California: 12%).
Housing in Santa Barbara: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 39,204
- Owner-occupied
- 39.9%
- Renter-occupied
- 60.1%
- Vacant
- 7.4%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1965
- Average household size
- 2.36
Santa Barbara demographics
- Population
- 87,779
- Median age
- 39.7
- Under 18
- 17.7%
- 65 and older
- 20.6%
- Households
- 36,291
- Foreign-born
- 19.9%
- Veterans
- 3.8%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Santa Barbara ›
Education in Santa Barbara
51.9% of adults 25 and older in Santa Barbara have a bachelor's degree or higher (California: 37.1%), and 22.2% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Santa Barbara
- Unemployment rate
- 5.8%State: 6.6%
- Average commute
- 17 minState: 29 min
- Work from home
- 18.9%
- Drive alone
- 60.8%
- Public transit
- 2%
- Walk to work
- 4%
- Homes with broadband
- 93.9%
Santa Barbara vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Eastern Goleta Valley | 28,295 | $146,284 | $1,361,700 | $2,964 |
| Summerland | 1,348 | $95,694 | $2,000,001 | — |
| University of California-Santa Barbara | 12,121 | $69,327 | $452,900 | $1,526 |
| Isla Vista | 13,920 | $25,972 | $1,218,800 | $1,878 |
| Goleta | 32,685 | $122,370 | $1,062,100 | $2,437 |
| Toro Canyon | 1,477 | $140,743 | $2,000,001 | $2,179 |
More for people moving to Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Santa Barbara: FAQ
What is the median household income in Santa Barbara, CA?
The median household income in Santa Barbara is $106,182, 7% 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 Santa Barbara?
The median home value in Santa Barbara is $1,570,800, compared with $734,700 in California.
How much is rent in Santa Barbara?
The median gross rent in Santa Barbara is $2,413 per month, about 33.4% of household income.
Is Santa Barbara, CA a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income 7% higher than the California median; an average commute of 17 minutes; unemployment of 5.8%. Minuses: home values 114% higher than the state median; a poverty rate of 14%.
What is the median age in Santa Barbara?
The median age in Santa Barbara is 39.7 years (California: 37.9).
How long is the commute in Santa Barbara?
The average commute to work in Santa Barbara is 17 minutes; 18.9% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Santa Barbara?
The unemployment rate in Santa Barbara is 5.8% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Santa Barbara?
51.9% of adults in Santa Barbara 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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