759 Embarcadero Del Mar
759 Embarcadero del Mar,
Isla Vista, CA 93117
1 Bed | $3,150
Rental Market Trends in Santa Barbara, CA
Updated September 2026
The average rent in Santa Barbara, CA is $2,330/month.
Rent in Santa Barbara is 40% higher than the national average rent of $1,664/month, making this one of the more expensive cities statewide.
$2,330/month
Average Rent
518 Sq Ft
Average Size
+0.5%
Change / Year
547
Available Apartments
Santa Barbara rent varies by unit size and layout:
- Studio apartments in Santa Barbara average $2,162 per month.
- One-bedroom apartments in Santa Barbara average $2,330 per month.
- Two-bedroom apartments in Santa Barbara average $3,478 per month.
- Three-bedroom apartments in Santa Barbara average $4,524 or more per month.
Average Rent by Home Type
Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
How much has average rent changed in Santa Barbara, CA?
In the past year, rent has increased by 0.5%, which averages out to $13 more per month.
Market Trends Over Time
September 2026
2025
2026
Rent Ranges in Santa Barbara, CA
September 2026
Above $2,000
Most rental prices fall within this range
Percentage*
Rent Range
0%
Below $700/month
1%
$700 - $1,000/month
6%
$1,001 - $1,500/month
23%
$1,501 - $2,000/month
71%
Above $2,000/month
What salary do I need to live comfortably in Santa Barbara, CA?
Because the average rent in Santa Barbara is $2,330, you’ll want to make about $7,766 per month or $93,192 per year. The general guideline is to pay no more than 30 percent of your monthly income on rent. However, you’ll want to consider additional factors, such as your monthly bills and other expenses. Use our rent affordability calculator to help determine how much to budget for rent.
How does Santa Barbara, CA compare to other nearby cities and neighborhoods?
Use the tool below to compare Santa Barbara, CA to other nearby cities and neighborhoods. The Apartments.com neighborhood guides provide you with insight into the area’s transportation, things to do, and more.
View the Santa Barbara Area GuideCompare Rent Trends Nearby
Get a clearer picture of the area by viewing rent trends in nearby cities.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average rent in Santa Barbara?
The average rent in Santa Barbara is $2,330 per month, which is 40.0% higher than the national average of $1,664.
What is the average rent for a house in Santa Barbara?
The average rent for a house in Santa Barbara, CA is $9,124 per month.
Are rents going up or down in Santa Barbara?
Rents in Santa Barbara, CA are increasing, with prices up 0.5% year-over-year and $13 more per month.
What rent range is most common in Santa Barbara?
In Santa Barbara, CA, 71% of apartments fall above $2,000/month, though prices may vary depending on location and other factors.
Methodology
† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in September 2026.
Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.
* Percentages may not total 100 due to rounding.