Rent in Santa Barbara County, CA at a glance
2-bedroom rent (HUD)
$3,124$37,488 a year · HUD fiscal year 2026From October 1, 2026: $3,106 (−0.6%)How much rent can you afford in Santa Barbara County, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for each size, against what a typical household here earns. Change the income to see yours.
Rent in Santa Barbara County, CA by bedroom, and the pay it takes
Income needed keeps rent at 30% of gross pay; the hourly figure assumes one full-time job, 2,080 hours a year.
| Size | A month | A year | Income needed | Hourly wage needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,459 | $29,508 | $98,360 | $47.29/hr |
| 1 bedroom | $2,746 | $32,952 | $109,840 | $52.81/hr |
| 2 bedroomsMost searched | $3,124 | $37,488 | $124,960 | $60.08/hr |
| 3 bedrooms | $4,075 | $48,900 | $163,000 | $78.37/hr |
| 4 bedrooms | $4,647 | $55,764 | $185,880 | $89.37/hr |
Cost of living in Santa Barbara County, CA: income, prices and a budget →
Living and working in Santa Barbara County, CA
Rent in Santa Barbara County, CA: common questions
How much is rent going down in Santa Barbara County, CA in 2027?
HUD's Fair Market Rent for fiscal 2027, which takes effect October 1, 2026, is $3,106 for a two-bedroom, down 0.6% from $3,124. A one-bedroom goes from $2,746 to $2,711, a studio from $2,459 to $2,479.
These are HUD's estimates of what a typical recently rented unit costs, used for housing vouchers. A landlord's increase on your lease follows your lease and your state's rules, not this figure.
What is the average rent in Santa Barbara County, CA?
HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026 is $2,746 for a one-bedroom and $3,124 for a two-bedroom, utilities included. That is $37,488 a year for the two-bedroom.
It is not an average of current listings. HUD sets it at the rent 40% of recent movers paid or less for a standard unit, so asking rents on newer places usually run higher.
How much do you need to make to afford rent in Santa Barbara County, CA?
To keep a $3,124 two-bedroom at 30% of gross pay, one full-time worker needs $60.08 an hour, or $124,960 a year. A one-bedroom at $2,746 takes $52.81 an hour.
How much is a 1, 2 or 3-bedroom apartment in Santa Barbara County, CA?
At HUD's 2026 Fair Market Rent: studio $2,459, one bedroom $2,746, two $3,124, three $4,075 and four $4,647 a month.
Is rent affordable in Santa Barbara County, CA?
For the typical household, earning $98,161 a year ($8,180 a month, Census ACS), a two-bedroom at $3,124 takes 38.2% of income. Under 30% is the usual line for affordable; this is over it.
How is the income needed for rent worked out?
Rent for a year divided by 0.30, the share of gross income HUD treats as affordable: ($3,124 × 12) ÷ 0.30 = $124,960. Divided by 2,080 working hours, that is $60.08 an hour.